Sometimes you can get excellent leadership lessons from a fun little teambuilding game. If you think about it, you reveal your leadership style when you play. And play isn’t just for kids – it’s a great way to analyze and improve your leadership style.
I attended a meeting over the weekend that had a “zoom” teambuilding activity. Each participant is handed a picture. The object is to work as a team to put them in order to tell a story. There was only space for a few people to work with the pictures.
As we carried out our team task, I noticed there were people who either stepped up or stepped back. Each of those two groups seemed to have two philosophies.
Some of the stepper-uppers were trying to do the puzzle themselves, sort of a do-it-yourself leadership style. Other stepper-uppers were more directive or facilitative in their approach. Of the stepper-backers, some of them seemed confused and chose not to participate, standing there with their arms crossed. Others seemed like they wanted to join in but were hesitant to push their way up front.
You reveal your leadership style when you play, too. What kind of leader would you be in a game like this?
- If you step up and try to do it yourself, try involving the stepper-backers and inviting them to join in.
- If you are a director or facilitator, practice cheerleading the group’s process, and make sure everyone gets a chance to participate.
- If you step back because you’re confused, ask questions. You’re probably not the only one who feels that way.
- If you are hesitant to step forward, get out of your comfort zone and try doing it once. Sometimes you might have to force yourself into a leadership role!
There are all kinds of leadership approaches. You reveal your leadership style when you play. We can learn a lot about our own tendencies through fun little teambuilding games like this. And we can use what we learn to adapt and improve our leadership style, so everyone feels involved. You haven’t peaked yet!