Being a good leader requires the ability to work collaboratively with a team. The vital aspects of a leader include being able to identify the individual strengths of yourself and others, using these strengths for the good of the group, appreciating the dynamics of the group and knowing the proper times to lead and when to allow someone else to take the reins. Leadership exercises provide an opportunity to enhance these abilities.
Stand By Your Quote
This exercise is used to create leadership awareness and discussion. Hang various leadership quotes up on the wall. Ensure that the print is large and that there are large spaces between each quote. Each quote should focus on different leadership aspects. Have the group walk around and read the various quotes on the wall. Instruct each person to stand in front of the quote that matches what they feel makes a good leader. Once everyone has selected a quote, they will take turns explaining why the quote is important to them and then share a personal leadership insight.
Leadership Race
The leadership race helps to allow each person to realize what leadership traits they have and, more importantly, what they need to work on. Create a handout that lists statements and qualities describing the qualities a true leader has. An example might be "I take responsibility if my team fails" or "I provide valuable feedback to help improve my team." Give the handout to everyone and have them stand at a starting point. Read the first sentence and, if the statement is true for an individual, she is allowed to take a step forward. As she takes her step, she must state an example that supports her claim. Continue until one or more participants cross a predetermined finish line.
Smiling Sidewalk
The smiling sidewalk exercise helps to improve everyone's confidence while helping them to gauge the reactions of the people they come across. To perform the exercise, simply have each person walk down the street and smile at anyone that makes eye contact. As part of the exercise, the smile and eye contact must be held until the stranger is no longer in the line of sight.
Egg Drop
This exercise helps a leader practice giving instruction to his team. The task is to have the team construct a package that can protect an egg from a fall of 8 feet. The leader must brainstorm what items should be used and how to construct the package. The teams are given five minutes to figure out what they will be using and 40 minutes to construct the package. The egg is placed into the package and secured in whatever manner the team selected. The teams then take turns dropping their packages. The teams with the unbroken eggs are declared the winners.
References
- "The Leadership Challenge: Activities Book"; Barry Z. Posner; 2010
- "Leadership Elements: A Guide to Building Trust"; Mike Mears; 2009
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