Strength Building Exercise
Nick Heap
New Directions
Hartfield, United Kingdom
2003, May
Annotation: I have found that creating a light-hearted atmosphere and encouraging people to feel and enjoy laughing about their embarrassment of being positive about themselves, really helps as does sitting close together so people experience everyone else's support. The following activity has worked very well in training and team development sessions. Please don't take my word for it, try it out with friends, family or close colleagues, for fun, it can be very rewarding.
I only have experience of using it in Britain, but we are often quite shy and inhibited people and it works well here. I think the confidence of the facilitator and her/his anticipation of discovering something remarkable is important.
Strength Building
Purpose:
- To build personal self confidence and self esteem
- To help people to know each other deeply
- To show that appreciation and being positive is valuable.
Method
1. The participants are in a small face to face group. In a larger group when time is short, demonstrate the process with one person in front of the group. Then break people into groups of four and five.
2. Each person has a turn of say 15 minutes as the focus of the group.
3. She or he describes an event in which she or he achieved something she or he felt good about. It does not have to about work. Everyone else listens intently.
4. Each group member tells the person above two or three strengths she must have used to achieve it. The person adds one or two of his own.
5. The person states the one strength of all the ones she has heard that she /he likes the best. If people are ready they may own this by going round the group and saying to each person in turn "I am (e g) resourceful!". A facilitator may encourage further growth by encouraging her/him to use a clear and positive tone of voice and posture with no trace of self-deprecation.
6. After everyone has had a turn, ask people how they feel about themselves and the group and what they have learned.
The Effects
People develop in confidence and self esteem as they discover their achievements and skills are valuable. They appreciate the depths in other people and want to know more. The shared and rather intense experience builds group cohesion. People enjoy it too.
Facilitating style
I find it best to be quite light-hearted within a clear structure. I model listening and take part myself if the group is small.
Best wishes,
Nick Heap
01707 886553 and nick@nickheap.co.uk
Web: www.nickheap.co.uk
New Directions
43 Roe Green Close
Hatfield
Herts AL10 9PD
UK
Online Resources:
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