Are you in search of some self-awareness team building activities?
Building a stronger and more self-aware team equates to heightened collaboration, creativity, and efficiency in the workplace. So, you should help your employees develop a greater understanding of themselves and others.
In this article, let’s see 10 group exercises designed to boost self-awareness among employees. Each activity is a blend of fun as well as insight, perfect for kick-starting meaningful conversations and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
10 Self-Awareness Team Building Activities
Here are some team building exercises that focus on self-awareness, helping employees understand themselves and others better:
#1. The Mirror Talk Activity
This is an emotional intelligence exercise designed to improve non-verbal communication and empathy among employees. It can be used as an icebreaker or a fun break during long meetings.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Pair up the participants.
- Then, ask one partner to be the ‘leader’ and the other to be the ‘mirror’. The leader can make any body movement (hand gestures, facial expressions, etc.), while the mirror must follow without speaking.
- After a few minutes, switch roles so both partners have a chance to lead and mirror.
Debrief
Determine how the exercise impacted participants’ abilities to observe and empathize with their partners. Encourage them to practice active listening and paying attention to non-verbal cues in their daily interactions.
#2. The Feedback Circle
This activity creates a safe space for employees to give and receive constructive feedback. If you are looking for a group dynamics activity on self awareness, then you can try this one.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Gather each group in a circle, either seated or standing.
- Allow group members to share one positive aspect and one area of improvement for the person on their right. Ensure that all feedback is given respectfully and constructively.
- Encourage group members to listen actively and reflect on the feedback without immediate response.
Debrief
Discuss the value of constructive criticism and the growth it can foster. Consider developing action items based on the feedback received.
#3. Vision Board
In this exercise, employees will create a visual representation of their personal and team goals.
Time: You decide
Materials: Poster board, index cards, glue, and markers
Participants: Small groups of 4-6 members
Instructions
- Give each group a poster board, index cards, glue, and markers.
- Ask group members to individually write down their personal on the index cards. Then, as a group, discuss and agree on the team goals.
- Using the materials provided, have each group create a vision board that represents their personal and team goals.
Debrief
Discuss how individual goals align with team goals and how the team can support one another in achieving these goals. Display the vision boards in a shared space as a visual reminder of the team’s aspirations.
#4. Value Clarification
This is one of the interesting self-awareness team building activities you can try. It helps define and reinforce important values within the group.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Ask everyone to think of 3-5 values that they believe are important for their group to embody.
- Have each group member share their chosen values and explain why they are important to them.
- As a group, they can discuss any common themes or differences in the chosen values.
- Finally, they should decide on a set of core values that their group wants to focus on.
Debrief
Discuss ways in which these values can be incorporated and reinforced in daily interactions, especially in group decision-making. Revisit these values periodically to ensure they are still relevant and being upheld by the group.
#5. Reflective Journaling
Reflective journaling strengthens self-awareness and promotes critical thinking. It offers a platform for employees to privately express their thoughts and feelings about their work.
Time: 10-15 minutes daily
Materials: Journals or digital documents
Participants: Any number of individuals per group
Instructions
- Provide each group member with a journal or access to a digital document.
- Set aside time each day for them to reflect and write down their thoughts about work.
- Periodically, you can invite them to share insights or breakthroughs from their journaling that may benefit their group.
Debrief
Discuss the impact of regular reflection and how it can improve self-awareness, communication, and group dynamics. Encourage the employees to continue journaling as a way to track their personal growth and development within the group.
#6. Career Mapping
A career mapping workshop supports employees in visualizing their career trajectory within the company. This forward-thinking activity encourages participants to set clear objectives and identify the skills and experiences they need to advance.
Time: You decide
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 3-10 individuals per group
Instructions
- Each group member draws their career path on the paper, including past roles and aspirations for the future. For example, they can include promotions, lateral moves, and skill development opportunities.
- After that, encourage them to share it with their group. Then, the group should discuss similarities or differences in their career paths.
- Finally, you can share the resources and support available within the company to help employees reach their career goals.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of setting clear career goals and how this exercise can help employees identify areas for growth within the company. Encourage them to continue updating their career maps periodically as they progress in their careers.
#7. Mindfulness Meditation
In this activity, employees are guided through a meditation session to cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress. This can be done in person or through virtual sessions.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Comfortable seating, and calming music (optional)
Participants: All employees are welcome to attend
Instructions
- Begin the session by welcoming all employees and explaining the benefits of practicing mindfulness.
- Next, ask them to close their eyes. Guide them through a series of deep breaths to center their attention away from distractions and focus on the present moment.
- Employ visualizations or direct them to focus on a particular thought or sensation, guiding them gently back to focus whenever their mind wanders.
- Afterward, open the floor for a brief discussion on how employees can incorporate mindfulness techniques into their daily work routines.
Debrief
Remind employees of the importance of taking breaks and practicing mindfulness to improve focus, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being. Encourage them to continue utilizing these techniques in their daily lives for optimal performance at work.
#8. Personality Assessment
This is a guided exploration of each employee’s personality traits using established assessment tools.
Time: You decide
Materials: Personality test printouts or digital access, and pens
Participants: Any number of individuals in a group
Instructions
- Ask each person to take a personality assessment test such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the DISC assessment.
- Once everyone has completed the test, they can share the results with the group.
- Facilitate a discussion on how different personalities can work together effectively in a group setting.
Debrief
Reflect on how personal strengths can be leveraged for group success. Acknowledge areas for growth and how the group can support one another in those areas.
#9. Personal SWOT Analysis
This is a reflective activity aimed at enhancing self-awareness and promoting professional development within the team.
Time: You decide
Materials: Paper and pens
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Allocate time for each team member to individually analyze and note down their personal Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
- Encourage honesty and introspection, possibly by providing guiding questions like, “What skills do I excel at?” or “Where do I see myself in five years?”
- Pair up team members to share and discuss their SWOT findings, fostering a supportive atmosphere for personal development.
- Facilitate a discussion on how these insights can translate into actionable goals within the team context.
Debrief
Explore the key takeaways from each person’s SWOT Analysis and assess how these insights can enhance the team’s performance. Leverage this exchange of personal reflections to cultivate a supportive team environment that encourages growth and collaboration.
#10. The Reflection Circle
In this activity, employees take turns sharing their reflections on a specific topic or experience. It helps to foster open communication and understanding within the group.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 5-15 members in a group
Instructions
- Prompt each team member to reflect on a recent success and a recent learning opportunity they encountered at work.
- Going around the circle, each person shares their reflection, highlighting what they learned about themselves through those experiences.
- Encourage active listening and respectful feedback from other team members.
Debrief
Hold a group discussion on common themes and insights, considering how these self-awareness moments can improve team dynamics as well as individual contributions. Use this exercise to reinforce the value of continuous learning and recognition of personal growth.
Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
If you want some unique activities (both in-person and virtual) for your employees, you can get my new e-book:
Final Words
It is necessary to develop a cohesive workforce that values personal growth alongside professional achievements. By incorporating these exercises into regular team meetings, you create a culture of continuous improvement and open communication. The result is a stronger, more adaptive team, ready to face future challenges with confidence and collective wisdom.