Strength Building Exercise
Short Description: Simple exercise that builds trust and mutual respect by defining individual’s strengths
Aims:
- To show that appreciation and being positive is valuable.
- To help people to know each other deeply
- To build trust and mutual respect in a group or team
- To build personal self confidence and self esteem
Process
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.
- Each person has a turn as the focus of the group.
- 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.
- 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 her or his own.
- The person states the one strength of all the ones she or he has heard that she or 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!”
- The facilitator may encourage further growth by encouraging her or him to use a clear and positive tone of voice and posture with no trace of self-deprecation.
After everyone has had a turn, ask people how they feel about themselves and the group and what they have learned.
Outcomes
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 and trust. People enjoy it too.
Additional considerations
- Best for the facilitator to be light-hearted within the clear structure. Model listening and take part if the group is small.