A well-chosen selection of fun leadership games, team-building exercises, and icebreakers that get high school leaders up and moving is an invaluable part of any activity director’s arsenal.  The right activity can break up the monotony of your class, work as a topic lead-in for your important leadership lessons, and create meaningful bonds among your student government.  However, even the best group games depend on the skill of the game leader.

After 17 years, being involved with youth leadership conferences and classes,  I’ve discovered what it takes to make a group game work and am excited to pass it on to you.  Just use these simple secrets and you’ll be leading games like a pro!

Safety First!!       

Keep your games safe!  Just since it sounded fun on the internet, doesn’t mean that it’s the right game for your group.   Use your common sense and be safety minded.  NEVER introduce an icebreaker game that will make others uncomfortable – physically or mentally.

Play With A Purpose

Get to know me games are a great way to ease students through the discomfort that comes with getting to know strangers.  However, don’t miss the opportunity to include valuable lessons into your fun.   Pick games that purposefully demonstrate communication skills, team-building, empathy, and other student leadership qualities instead of letting those teachable moments pass you by.

Make Your Explanations Clear

Keep your games simple!  Every rule you add is just one more obstacle between you and the success of your games.  When giving the instructions, don’t assume they understand you.  If possible, write them down for clarity, give an example, or bring a couple of students up to do a demonstration.

Keep Things Moving 

Don’t spend too much time on any one game.  Icebreakers that take longer than 15-minutes quickly lose their momentum!  Advancing through two or three shorter high-action games related to your teaching topic is best.  Pay attention to the participants to make sure that they’re having fun.  If your game just isn’t working – move on to another.

Involve Everyone

Don’t force people to participate.  However, both students and adults should be encouraged to join in the activities, or at least show respect by paying attention.  Advisors and student helpers socializing or texting during your session will quickly kill the team-building energy you’re trying to create.   Casually enlist your inattentive lurkers to partner up in for next game expressing that you could really use their help.

Follow Up With Discussion

At the end of your games, gather your student leaders for a discussion on the leadership skills that were just demonstrated through their play.  Don’t expect your students to get ‘the lesson’ just by playing the game without an explanation as to how it relates to your topic.     Have questions ready to act as a guide, but let your student leaders take the lead and talk about their “Aha!” moments.

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That’s it!   Over the next several days I will be adding an online collection of my favorite quick yet effective leadership games complete with directions and follow-up discussion questions.  Look for them under the blog category Play With Purpose.   Let me know if you like ’em and I’ll keep adding.  If you have any favorite energizer that you think readers would enjoy, additional discussion questions, or requests, please send them along to me.

Oh one last tip:  Remember, they’re just games… so have fun!

Leadership Game | Words of Wisdom Student Leadership Quote Game

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Description

Students walk around the room reading a series of posters, each which display a different quote highlighting a possible quality of a leader (quotes provided).  Every student chooses a quote to stand by that illustrates the concept of leadership closest to their own beliefs.  A discussion of leadership qualities proceeds from there.

Purpose

This is a great lead-in to discussing qualities of a leader with your students.  The students begin by reading and thinking about leadership concepts and philosophies as spoken by some of our world’s greatest leaders.  They continue with a discussion on the various qualities of leaders and identify their own leadership beliefs and styles.

Materials Required

• Scotch Tape
  
• 15-20 signs with leadership quotes – 20 Awesome Leadership Quotes PDF
  
• Optional but recommended: A whiteboard to right down leadership quality answers

Time to Play

30-45 minutes

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INSTRUCTIONS

The set-up:

1. Print out 20 Awesome Leadership Quotes PDF .

2. Depending on the size of your group, pick out 10-20 quotes that you would like to use for your game.
3. Tape the quotes on the walls in no particular order.   Several students may gather around certain quotes, so leave plenty of room between each poster.

The game:

1. Ask the participants to leave their chairs and walk around the room reading each of the quotes.
2. Instruct them to choose and stand by one quote that best relates to their own view on what makes a good leader.
3. When everyone has selected a quote, have them discuss among others who chose the same quote why that quote is important to them.  Note: the number of participants gathered around each quote will likely vary.
4. Encourage the group to share their own leadership experiences that illustrate their quote.
5. Each quote group will then select a member who will share the groups view and give examples.
6. Have each group’s spokesperson explain to the rest of the room the reason behind their choice using some of the examples provided by the group.  Talk about the importance of the identified leadership skill.
7. Proceed moving from quote to quote allowing each group to answer and discuss their leadership beliefs as it relates to their quote.

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DISCUSSION IDEAS

If possible, write your key ideas on the white board.  These can launch further discussion questions or a lead-in to additional leadership content.

1. Ask the students to identify and discuss each of the core leadership concepts illustrated within each quote.  Lead a discussion on which concepts are important to leadership.  Encourage your student leaders to use specific and personal examples.

2. Discuss with your class the importance of each of these leadership qualities as they apply to student leadership and leading a campus.  Ask “Are there some qualities more important than others?” “Why?”

3. Illustrate common or hypothetical challenges that your student leaders might face as they fulfill their role as a leader on campus.  Have your students identify and discuss which leadership qualities might be useful to handle each situation.

4. Ask “What are the benefits of working as a leadership team as we proceed to lead our campus?”  “Is a combination of student leaders and student council officers with different strengths more beneficial than one leader in complete control of the leadership vision?”

5. With your leadership qualities identified and written on the whiteboard, ask your group to call out the names of leaders both admired and hated that exhibit some of these leadership qualities and write them on the board.  You will hear names of both popular leaders like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi as well as some leaders not so admired.  Discuss how these leaders were effective leaders no matter if we agree with their leadership goals and direction.  For example, Adolf Hitler may have been an evil man but he certainly had strong belief in his vision, his ability to move a nation, as well as other leadership qualities.

6.  The 20 Leadership Quotes PDF includes the quote: “Leadership is something I was born with.”  If you choose to use this quote in your game it can be a great lead-in to the sometimes controversial discussion whether leaders or born or made.

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COMMENTS

1. Ideas stick better when accompanied by a personal example.  Your students will gain greater retention of your discussion points when they accompany their basic answers with an example or descriptive story, hypothetical or real, that involves how they have or will use their leadership skills in a personal away.  Encourage this sort of response and ask follow up questions if you must.
   
2. Use this as a anti-bullying game!  Switch out the leadership quotes for quotes relating to respect, tolerance, and other key words that can lead to anti-bullying discussion.
3. A better formatted version of leadership quotes PDF coming soon!
4. New at leading group games?  Check out this article that explains the simple secrets that will leave you leading games like a pro!  Playing With A Purpose: Simple Secrets To Leadership Games That teach And Inspire
   

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Do you have a great follow up discussion question or idea that would add to this activity?  Do you know a variation or game twist not included here?  Or perhaps you know a different game or activity that leadership teachers and trainers could use as a starting point to discuss leadership qualities and leadership styles with their students.  Let us know!  We want to hear from you!

Leadership Game | “Yes! And…” |  A Fun Improv Game With A Leadership Lesson!

Description

In college, I took Improvisation for Actors.  It was a class where through interactive games, you practice acting, problem solving, or just reacting in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment and inner feelings.  One of my favorites that semester was the game: “Yes! And…”  It’s purpose, I was told, was to ingrain the actor in me with a positive mindset – a skill necessary not just for acting and improv, but also for anyone who wishes to be an effective leader.

Throughout the game, volunteers come to the front one pair at a time and converse with each other in front of the group.  However, the players must always beginning every response with “Yes and…” then continue the sentence in a positive manner following the lead of your partner.  It’s not only a fun way to play and bond with your team, it also leads in to a great leadership discussion.

Purpose

Quick and positive thinking are highly valued in improvisation because when a player adopts a negative mindset (using “But” or “No”) a scene will not advance optimally and naturally as is the intent. However, these skills are also necessary for anyone who wishes to be an effective leader.  Leaders often need to exhibit a forward moving attitude even when the unexpected occurs and adapt to new directions and ideas that might be different from their own personal vision or beliefs. This great game is great for practicing positive thinking and lots of fun too!  It also teaches you how to always have something to say.

Group Size

15-25 participants. Smaller groups work best but I’ve  used this well in groups of 250+.

Only 2 volunteers play at a time in front of the group.

Materials Required

No materials required.

optional – use a dry erase board for writing participant’s key point answers and “a-ha!” moments during discussion.

Time Required

10-15 minutes

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INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:. You will explain the rules of “Yes! And…” giving a sample dialog with yourself, or if possible, enlist the aid of a student helper who has played before or who you can teach the game prior to the session

Tell your group:

In this game partners will have a discussion between themselves in which both must listen to what their partner says, then respond to whatever it was they said beginning your sentence with the words “Yes!  And…” then complete the sentence in a positive upbeat manner that will not only support but expand the original concept bringing it to the next level.

For example

Player A says: “This classroom is sure filled with a bunch of desks!”

Player B responds: “Yes! And I heard that at last count there was more that a million!”

Player A says: “Yes! And if we stacked them all one on top of the other they would reach the moon!”

Player B responds: “Yes! And that would sure be a great way to get to the moon rather that a rocket.”

Player A responds:“Yes! And I’ve always wanted to go to the moon since I’ve heard its made of green cheese!”

Play B responds: “Yes! And I hear that every third Friday is cheese tasting night up there!”

Explain: Players will continue this conversation until I shout “Cut!”

Step 2: Pick two volunteers who want to give it a go!

Step 3: Either allow the first speaker to begin with a random statement or involve your group letting them call out a topic for the players to follow.

Step 4: Let them create their dialogue allowing it to grow more and more outrageous.  When the pair reaches a big laugh shout “And… Cut!” in your favorite Hollywood director voice.  If they don’t reach a laugh cut them after several responses and send them off with applause as well.

Step 5: Always, encourage players to “Thank your partner for playing with you!”  before they part.

Step 6: Allow every pair of volunteers to return back to the group with a round of applause.

Step 7: Bring up two more volunteers and do it again and again till everyone who wants to has had a turn before turning the activity to discussion.

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DISCUSSION IDEAS

1. Talk about the positive thinking skill as it related to the “Yes and…” game they just played and ask your group, “In what way is this an important skill for an actor or someone who plays these improvisation games?” Discuss with your group how this skill of moving forward with a positive attitude can also work to the benefit of their leadership team and more so, as a leader on their campus.
2. Ask the group, “How did the game make you feel with the pressure from having to quickly answer on a strangely evolving topic.” And, “How do you feel when someone presents answers or goes in a different direction all together from what you specifically had in mind as the leader?” “How do you handle it?”  “How should a leader handle these situations?”
3. Explain that this game is often played by improvisation groups to build flexibility and quick thinking – two highly desired skills by any actor.  Ask “What other skills make for a good improv players?” “Why?” If possible, write down answers the skills on the dry erase board for easily referral for the next question.
4. As a continuation to #3, ask “Which of these skills could also be a skill important to you as a leader?” “Why?” Encourage them to give examples and possible scenarios.

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COMMENTS

1. Try leave on a good note. When you shout “and cut”, do it at the end of a “Yes and…” comment that gets a good laugh from the group.
2. Remember, like many leadership and team-building games, this in not just a quick game in route to an object lesson. This game actually is great practice in developing these invaluable leadership skills. Incorporate this and other leadership skill building games into your leadership or student council class on a weekly basis.
3. Ideas stick better when accompanied by a personal example.  Your students will gain greater retention of your discussion points when they accompany their basic answers with an example or descriptive story, hypothetical or real, that involves how they have or will use their leadership skills in a personal away.  Encourage this sort of response and ask follow up questions if you must.
   
4. New at leading group games?  Check out this article that explains the simple secrets that will leave you leading games like a pro!  Playing With A Purpose: Simple Secrets To Leadership Games That Teach And Inspire

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Do you have a great follow up discussion question or idea that would benefit this game?  A twist on the normal play?  Or perhaps a different improvisation game that leadership teachers and trainers could use to demonstrate and develop leadership skills with their students?  Let us know!  We want to hear from you!!

Be it a soccer match, a classroom project, or a business deal, it is only as successful as the team behind it is. Having a strong team with ambitious team leaders, cooperative members, and an undying team spirit not only keeps the members motivated and interactive, but it also breaks the barriers between mindsets to promote their creativity and problem-solving skills. Benefit from the following team builders in order to get involved into exciting and interactive team building exercises within your group.

Consensus

An excellent exercise aimed at team building and teamwork, Consensus promotes the importance of unity, agreement and compromise among all team members. This team builder can be especially effective in school trainings or student leadership sessions.

Easy to execute, without any material or space requirements, the activity requires all participants to split up into smaller groups of 5-6 people and cluster together to agree on a particular noise and action to perform for other teams. Once each group has demonstrated their act twice, the facilitator should allow them to huddle once again to recall all groups’ acts, and prepare themselves for a collective performance of with all the teams. This activity holds an objective for all the teams to keep regrouping, and repetitively attempt a collective act to ultimately do the same noise and action together, without any consultation between the teams.

After the activity, discuss and debrief the participants on their difficulties to reach a consensus, whether they needed any leadership intervention, their frustrations due to the communication barriers between teams, and any compromises that they had to make to reach an undivided final outcome.

Walk Together

As the name suggests, this activity requires all team members to walk together, but with their ankles tied to each others’. An idyllic team builder for building group trust, team cooperation and problem solving skills, a Walk Together activity works best for both students and employees.

Owing to its mobile nature, it is best to employ this team building activity in open spaces without any obstacles. Start by splitting a large group into smaller ones with no more than eight people each. While cloth strips or masking tape may be ideal, you may simply ask the participants to use their shoe laces to tie their ankles to both their neighbors’. The idea is to challenge the whole team to devise a strategy, coordinate with each other, and trust each other’s instincts to successfully walk together towards the finishing line, without any team member falling.

Once you have a winning team, gather all participants to discuss how they felt about their teammates during the activity, whether they helped or hindered each other’s progress, and what kind of collective effort and cooperation was required to be successful at the task.

Scavenger Hunt

An immensely proactive and competitive team challenge, scavenger hunts are timeless classics among team builders. The material and space requirements are individualized; however scavenger hunts are mostly carried out in several locations due to the ‘hunting process.’ Facilitators and trainers devise a plan where participants are split into groups and each group is handed a list of tasks to accomplish in a limited time span and under some specific rules and conditions. Teams are given points on their achievements, punctuality and penalized for any rule violations. Scavenger hunts have proven, time and again, to be a very sporty and exciting way to promote leadership skills, team bonding, team work planning, and coordination among the members.

Do you remember going to an event where you never left your seat or exited the event without getting to know the name of the person sitting in front of you? If yes, then the event planners may have not paid enough heed to the icebreakers!

An effective and engaging way to start a public speaking event, training sessions, and team-building activities; icebreakers are the ‘hook’ to grip an audience. Not only do they push the event off to a great start, but icebreakers also prove instrumental in getting the audience to know each other, to get acquainted with the objectives of the event, to keep them captivated throughout the proceedings and encourage their participation to the purpose of the event, which contributes to a successful outcome.

When should icebreakers be used?

Just as the name suggests, they should be used whenever you need to “break the ice” within the audience at an event or a meeting. An icebreaker is often used when people from different professional or cultural backgrounds, who may possibly not know each other at all, meet for a common purpose. The icebreaking activities should aim to quickly bond the people towards the event goal, uplift the comfort levels in a newly formed team, throw hints about the upcoming topics of the session, and get the facilitator, or the speaker, and the participants to know each other better.

What to use and where?

An icebreaker activity designed to kick start a high school motivational talk, would be certainly different from one targeted at a professional audience. Make sure to design the activity that is appropriate to the target audience and pertinent to the objective of the meeting. While a Human Bingo may offer a mighty kick off to a student’s networking event; beginning with a short quiz or by stating some relevant news or facts may be more suitable for professional environments. Some popular and effective icebreakers include:

A ‘Raise Your Hand’ round:

This versatile activity works well for any event, corporate or casual, and stimulates the energy level as the audience raises their hands in response to different questions or audience polls.

The Hook:

Start a story but don’t finish it! As your audience gets captivated by the events, stop by saying, “I’ll get back to this towards the end.” This will keep them engaged till the end of the session.

Two Truths, One Lie:

An interactive activity for introduction, this generally works well with smaller groups but can also be effectively employed by selecting random participants to discreetly tell three facts about themselves, of which two should be true and one a lie. The audience keeps guessing the lie in a poll until the participant reveals it.

Brainstorm and Problem Solving:

Tried and tested, these universal icebreakers can either be used to start an event or in the middle, to boost the energy level and creativity of the participants. Get the group organized into smaller teams and assign a simple problem scenario for them to brainstorm and work out in a short time. Each group should then be asked to present their solutions to the other teams. This activity can be used to potentially go through multiple topics in a short span of time.

When designing your icebreaker, it is important to remember that while a good icebreaker can make a successful event, a poor one can break the entire tempo. While activities may always come in handy to mobilize the audience and keep them keyed up, starting off with a joke or an interesting quote may also work as an effective icebreaker to give your audience a promising impression of the event.