Are you in search of some leadership communication activities?
Effective communication is pivotal to successful leadership. The way a leader conveys messages, listens, and facilitates open dialogue can significantly impact team performance.
In this article, let’s see 10 team building exercises on the leadership communication theme. Conducting these activities in your workplace can enhance both your and your team’s communication skills.
10 Leadership Communication Activities
Here are some leadership communication exercises you can try with your teams:
#1. Communication Styles Quiz
This is a quick, insightful activity designed to highlight each team member’s unique way of communicating.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Printed quiz materials, and pens
Participants: 3-10 people in a group
Instructions
- Distribute the quiz to all the group members and allocate some time to complete it.
- Have each individual score their quiz and tally up to find out their predominant communication style.
- Encourage the group members to share their results and provide examples of how their communication style has influenced past team interactions.
Debrief
Aim to achieve a collective understanding of how varied communication styles contribute to the team’s dynamics. Use this newfound awareness to strategize ways of enhancing team collaboration and minimizing misunderstandings.
#2. The Feedback Mirror
This is an impactful activity that promotes reflective learning through constructive peer-to-peer feedback on communication skills.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Pair up the participants and have them choose roles: speaker and feedback provider.
- The speaker shares a brief summary of their recent meeting or presentation.
- The feedback provider gives specific, honest feedback on the speaker’s communication style and delivery.
Debrief
Identify key takeaways from the feedback session and discuss how their implementation could refine communication tactics moving forward. Encourage participants to formulate a personal action plan for communication improvement based on the insights gained.
#3. Digital Communication Etiquette
This activity teaches effective online communication practices essential for professional digital interactions.
Time: You decide
Materials: Sample emails
Participants: 2-6 individuals per group
Instructions
- Begin with highlighting the importance of clear and concise communication in digital formats, citing examples of good versus bad emails.
- Divide the participants into small groups and provide each group with a sample email.
- Have the groups discuss and identify key elements of a well-written email, such as proper formatting, tone, and use of appropriate language.
- Then, they should make revisions to their sample email based on the discussion.
Debrief
Explore the different approaches to improve digital communication skills. Highlight the importance of etiquette, clarity, and professionalism in all digital interactions.
#4. Active Listening Game
The Active Listening Game is designed to sharpen team communication through interactive role-play and discussion.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Scenarios for role-play
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Divide participants into pairs and provide them with role-play scenarios that include everyday workplace conversations and challenges.
- Instruct one partner to share a story or message, while the other practices active listening, including making eye contact and avoiding interruptions.
- After sharing, the listening partner should repeat the key points back to the speaker, highlighting their understanding and empathy.
- Rotate roles and repeat the exercise, then discuss as a group the effectiveness of the active listening strategies employed.
Debrief
Gather feedback on the listening experience, exploring how active engagement influenced the conversation. Discuss how non-verbal cues impacted perception and understanding.
#5. The Silent Meeting
In this exercise, participants will engage in a series of written discussions on various prompts. The purpose is to increase awareness and practice in written communication skills.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Writing tools (pen and paper, or digital devices)
Participants: Any size group
Instructions
- Participants conduct their entire meeting in silence, using only written words to communicate.
- Encourage precise language and clarity to avoid misinterpretation without verbal cues.
- Utilize a designated platform or medium (whiteboard, document sharing, etc.) to facilitate silent conversations.
- Have teams tackle a problem or brainstorm ideas, documenting everything in writing.
Debrief
Evaluate the effectiveness of silent communication in achieving meeting goals and pinpoint areas where misunderstandings arose. Reflect on the challenges and advantages of expressing thoughts in written form with no vocal interaction.
#6. Precision Q&A
This is one of the amazing leadership communication activities. It hones your team’s capacity to communicate with conciseness and accuracy.
Time: You decide
Materials: A list of pre-determined questions
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions:
- Start with explaining the significance of brevity and precision in professional communication.
- Conduct a timed Q&A with each participant, where they answer questions with the utmost clarity and succinctness.
- Encourage others to listen actively and later provide insights on the effectiveness of the answers.
Debrief
Identify key areas where responses can be more direct, and discuss strategies for maintaining clarity under time pressure. Encourage team members to practice precision in their daily communication for improved efficiency and understanding.
#7. Storytelling
This activity elevates participants’ communication by teaching the art of storytelling.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Any size group
Instructions
- Begin with a brief on storytelling’s impact on communication, citing examples like TED Talks or brand storytelling.
- Participants craft a short story related to their work, focusing on a clear message and emotional connection.
- Share and discuss stories in small groups, offering feedback on the narrative’s clarity and engagement.
Debrief
Discover how effectively stories can drive a message home and highlight emotions or details that made an impact. Use feedback to refine future storytelling approaches for enhanced team communication.
#8. Elevator Pitch Practice
This activity sharpens team members’ skills in crafting and delivering compelling, concise pitches with confidence.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 2-6 people in a group
Instructions
- Provide a brief session on the elements of a strong, concise elevator pitch.
- Challenge participants to create their own pitch, highlighting what makes their work or the company unique.
- Conduct practice rounds where each member delivers their pitch to the group, followed by constructive feedback.
Debrief
Stress the importance of having a clear, memorable message and the confidence to deliver it. Encourage participants to fine-tune their pitches for real-world networking opportunities.
#9. Crucial Conversation
In this exercise, teams practice having crucial conversations in a safe and constructive environment. It is one of the best leadership communication activities.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Conflict scenario cards, and timer
Participants: Small groups or pairs
Instructions
- Begin by discussing the importance of navigating difficult conversations with poise and empathy.
- Distribute scenario cards depicting various challenging workplace conversations. For example, a coworker who consistently misses deadlines or a colleague who takes credit for someone else’s work.
- Set the timer and have participants role-play the scenarios, focusing on clear communication and problem-solving strategies.
- Encourage participants to reflect on their emotional intelligence and the impact of their words and tone.
Debrief
Highlight the value of active listening and calm responses in resolving conflicts. Review key takeaways and effective techniques for managing crucial conversations with confidence and care.
#10. Creativity Workshop
This exercise is designed to unlock the participants’ creative potential and explore how out-of-the-box thinking can lead to groundbreaking solutions.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 3-8 members per group
Instructions
- Prompt participants to draw or write down an idea that has been on their mind lately, no matter how outlandish.
- Form groups and have each member share their idea, discussing it openly without judgment.
- Encourage groups to choose one idea and brainstorm ways to implement it realistically.
- Guide each group to create a simple prototype or plan that represents their idea.
Debrief
Initiate a reflective dialogue about the brainstorming process, barriers to creativity they might have faced, and how they overcame them. Highlight the significance of an environment that nurtures creativity and the value of diverse perspectives in innovating effective solutions.
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:
Or 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:
Final Words
Regular practice of these activities can significantly improve communication, problem-solving skills, and innovation. So, conduct them periodically with your teams to ensure continuous development and keep the lessons fresh. Remember, the ultimate goal is an environment where every member feels valued, heard, and inspired to contribute to the group’s success.