The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

MATERIALS

Enough bound paper for each person to create a journal, or individual spiral notebook.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

None

ROOM SET-UP

Tables and chairs in any arrangement

Comments

Use the information below as the basis for any opening remarks you make as facilita-

tor of the workshop. Be sure to explain that journaling is a great opportunity to assess

our own performance, gauge learning, and integrate that learning into our activities.

Journal writing and storytelling are excellent ways to capture ideas for later use.

Sometimes journal notations provide the basis for a story. Other times, hearing a story

reminds the leader to record in his or her journal any reactions or responses that should

be given additional thought.

The challenge in this activity is to teach the essentials of a very useful but private

reflective practice within an open, shared session, as well as to generate enthusiasm

for doing it after the session is over.

Trainer’s Notes for Activity 7

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE

Step 1: Introduce the subject of journaling and provide an overview of the

activity.

For a long time, professionals in some disciplines have used

journaling as an active recall process. Actors and directors are especially

devoted to this technique. New actors are encouraged to write their

ideas and feelings (free-flow) for at least 20 minutes a day. In this way,

they develop a personal journal that captures an array of moods and

emotions that can later be drawn on as they prepare for different

character roles “for a long time.”

As a leader, you are not really playing a character, but you are, in a

real sense, orchestrating the team to work together to solve a business

need or problem. A journal provides a personal and private way to track

your great moments. If you use it regularly, you will capture your

greatest successes, but—most importantly—you will also be recording

(^32) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK