Are you in search of some collaborative leadership activities?
Leadership isn’t just about guiding; it’s about fostering a team spirit and working collaboratively towards a common goal. As a leader, it’s important to create opportunities for your employees to work together, build trust, and develop effective communication skills.
In this article, let’s see 10 exercises you can try with your teams to build collaborative leadership skills.
10 Collaborative Leadership Activities for the Workplace
Here are some activities you can incorporate into your workplace to promote collaborative leadership skills.
#1. The Trust Walk
This activity emphasizes the development of trust and clear communication within teams through a partner-led obstacle course.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Blindfolds, and simple obstacle course materials (chairs, cones, or any safe objects)
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Pair up the participants, and blindfold one partner. Ensure safety measures are in place.
- The sighted partner navigates the blindfolded partner through the obstacle course using only verbal instructions. Example: “Take two small steps forward, then turn right and take one large step.”
- Swap roles halfway through the activity to ensure both partners experience both roles.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of trust in following guidance without immediate visual confirmation. Reflect on how clear, concise communication can significantly affect outcomes in a work setting.
#2. Vision Board Creation
The Vision Board Creation activity is a collaborative effort to visualize and set future goals. It aligns individual aspirations with the company’s vision to enhance motivation and teamwork.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Whiteboard, and markers
Participants: Small groups (3-6 members)
Instructions
- Divide the participants into small groups. Then, provide each group with a whiteboard and markers.
- Ask them to discuss and list their personal as well as collective goals for the upcoming year or project phase.
- Encourage creativity as they draw or write their goals on the whiteboard, creating a visual representation of their aspirations.
- Once completed, have each group present their vision board to the other teams, explaining the significance of each element.
Debrief
Facilitate a discussion on the diversity of individual goals and how they can converge to support the company’s overarching objectives. Highlight the power of collaborative leadership and the importance of teamwork in achieving goals.
#3. The Marshmallow Challenge
The Marshmallow Challenge is a hands-on activity designed to boost teamwork through creative problem-solving. Here the participants strive to build the tallest freestanding structure.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: 20 sticks of spaghetti, 1 yard of tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow
Participants: Teams of 2-5 members
Instructions
- Equip each team with the materials.
- Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and announce the start of the challenge.
- Teams must work together to build the tallest structure that can support the marshmallow on top. The entire marshmallow must be visible and cannot be impaled by any of the materials.
- Once time is up, measure each team’s structure from base to top of marshmallow.
Debrief
Encourage participants to share their strategies, what worked well, and what could have been improved. Highlight the importance of adaptability, innovation, and the power of collaborative thinking in overcoming challenges.
#4. Group Storytelling
Group Storytelling is a dynamic activity aimed at enhancing creativity and teamwork. Here the participants collaboratively weave a narrative based on a given prompt.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Story prompt or theme
Participants: Small groups of 3-6 members
Instructions
- Start by giving each group a unique prompt or theme for their story.
- Members take turns, each adding a sentence or two to the story, building on the previous addition. For example, if the theme is “A Day at the Zoo,” one person might start with “It was a bright, sunny morning as Ellie the Elephant first noticed the gate was left open,” and the next could add, “Curious and excited, she stepped out, not realizing the adventure that awaited her.”
- Encourage creativity and ensure everyone contributes at least once.
- After completing the rounds or reaching a conclusion, have each group share their final story with everyone.
Debrief
Discuss the variety of directions stories took based on the same prompt and how different ideas were woven into a cohesive narrative. This reflection underlines the importance of diverse perspectives and collective creativity in team settings.
#5. Collaborative Drawing
In Collaborative Drawing, employees unite to create a single artwork, demonstrating the power of collective creativity and teamwork. It is one of the best collaborative leadership activities for the workplace.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper, and pencils
Participants: 3-6 individuals per group
Instructions
- Begin with each person drawing a part of a scene or object on their piece of paper.
- Pass the paper to the next team member to add their contribution, continuing until everyone has had a turn.
- Aim for creativity and inclusivity, ensuring each drawing reflects everyone’s input. For instance, if the starting drawing is a house, the next person might add a garden, the third could add a family outside, etc.
Debrief
Reflect on how each unique addition transformed the initial idea into a rich, collaborative creation. This activity demonstrates the value of different perspectives and highlights how collaborative efforts can lead to innovative outcomes.
#6. Idea Sandbox
The Idea Sandbox is a dynamic brainstorming session that encourages open and creative thought exchange among employees, driving innovation.
Time: You decide
Materials: Whiteboard (or large paper), and markers
Participants: 4-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Begin with a clear, open-ended question or challenge related to your team’s goals. For example, “How can we improve our customer service experience?”
- Have each team member write down their ideas on the whiteboard or paper.
- Once all ideas have been shared and discussed, work together to refine and prioritize the best ones.
Debrief
Reflect on how this exercise allowed everyone to contribute their unique perspectives and generate new, innovative ideas. Explain that everyone’s contributions are valuable and can lead to successful outcomes when working together.
#7. Escape Room Challenge
This is a thrilling activity designed to boost teamwork, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, wrapped in an exhilarating context.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A list of puzzles and clues
Participants: 3-6 individuals per team
Instructions
- Divide participants into teams, ensuring a mix of different skill sets and thinking styles in each group.
- Explain to them that they are locked in a “virtual” room and have to escape by solving a series of puzzles within a set time limit.
- Provide the list of puzzles and clues. Then, set a timer.
- The team that escapes the room in the shortest time wins.
Debrief
Reflect on how this activity required everyone to work together, utilize their individual skills, and think critically under pressure. Emphasize the importance of effective communication and collaboration in achieving a common goal.
#8. The Feedback Circle
In this exercise, employees exchange constructive feedback within a supportive framework, promoting growth and understanding.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Notepads and pens
Participants: 4-8 individuals
Instructions
- Begin by forming a circle with all participants. Each person writes down one strength and one area for improvement about the person to their right.
- Share feedback one by one, focusing on being constructive and kind. Example: “John, your project management skills really keep our team on track. I believe further developing your data analysis skills could make our projects even more impactful.”
- Take turns until everyone has received feedback from every person.
Debrief
Reflect on how receiving and giving feedback can improve team dynamics and individual growth. Encourage participants to incorporate this practice into their everyday interactions for continuous improvement.
#9. Workplace Trivia
Engage your team with a fun trivia game that covers workplace policies, history, or amusing facts about colleagues. It is one of the amazing collaborative leadership activities that can foster knowledge and unity.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Trivia questions, pens, and paper
Participants: Any team size
Instructions
- Compile a list of trivia questions related to your workplace. Example: “What year was our company founded?”
- Divide the participants into small teams and distribute the trivia questions.
- Teams write down their answers, competing to see who knows the most.
- After all questions have been answered, review the correct answers and declare a winning team.
Debrief
Reflect on what the employees learned about the workplace and colleagues through the activity. Encourage participants to continue learning about their workplace and each other in fun ways.
#10. Task Hunt
Facilitate a scavenger hunt that promotes creative thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving in an exciting way.
Time: You decide
Materials: A list of clues, and rewards for the winning team
Participants: Teams of 3-6 members
Instructions
- Create a list of clues related to your workplace or employees. Example: “Find a coworker who speaks three languages.”
- Divide the participants into teams and give them a list of clues.
- Teams work together to solve the clues and complete the tasks. The first team to complete all the tasks wins.
Debrief
In the debrief, explore how this activity underscores the essence of collaborative leadership and creative problem solving. Discuss how these skills can be applied to daily tasks in the workplace and improve team dynamics.
Want Some Unique Leadership Development Activities?
If you want some unique activities to equip your employees with leadership skills, qualities, and mindset, you can get my new e-book:
Or Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
If you want some unique activities for your employees (both in-person and virtual), you can get my new e-book:
Final Words
Incorporating these activities into your workplace can significantly enhance collaboration, communication, and a sense of community within your team. Each activity is designed to break down barriers, foster understanding, and encourage a supportive teamwork environment. So, start with one that resonates most with your team, and watch your collaborative leadership culture grow.