Are you in search of some shared leadership activities?
Creating a thriving workplace culture requires more than just traditional top-down leadership. By fostering engagement, shared leadership style not only enhances productivity and innovation but also cultivates an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Group activities relevant to this style empower individuals across all levels of an organization to contribute their unique perspectives, expertise, and skills.
In this article, let’s see 10 team building exercises for shared leadership. These activities can be used in various settings, from small teams to large organizations.
What is Shared Leadership?
This is a leadership style where multiple individuals within an organization collectively contribute towards decision-making and goal achievement. It is also known as collective leadership or distributed leadership.
This approach focuses on building trust, communication, and collaboration among team members, rather than relying solely on the guidance of a single leader. It empowers employees to take ownership of their work and encourages them to share their ideas and opinions freely.
The Benefits of Shared Leadership
Some of the benefits of this approach are:
Increased Innovation: When multiple individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to solve problems, they bring in new ideas and innovative solutions.
Improved Decision Making: With shared leadership, decisions are made after considering different viewpoints and expertise, leading to more informed decision-making.
Better Communication: This approach promotes open communication among team members, creating a sense of transparency and trust within the organization.
Increased Employee Engagement: When employees feel like they have a say in decision-making and their contributions are valued, they become more engaged and motivated to perform better.
Effective Conflict Resolution: This approach encourages open dialogue and collaboration, allowing conflicts to be resolved more effectively.
10 Shared Leadership Activities for the Workplace
Here are 10 team building activities for shared leadership.
#1. Quotes Reflection
In this activity, participants can gain valuable insights from the wisdom and experiences of notable leaders.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Inspiring leadership quotes
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Share an inspiring leadership quote with the teams.
- Ask each team member to reflect on the meaning and relevance of the quote to their own leadership journey. Example: “Reflect on this quote by John C. Maxwell: ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.'”
- Encourage them to share their insights and engage in a discussion.
Debrief
Discuss the various perspectives shared by team members and highlight the key insights gained from reflecting on the quotes. Encourage the participants to connect the lessons learned to their own daily work.
#2. Storytelling Circle
This exercise allows team members to share their unique experiences and perspectives on shared leadership in a safe and supportive environment.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of 4-8 people
Instructions
- Have the team members sit in a circle.
- Explain that each person will have 2 minutes to share a brief story or experience related to shared leadership.
- Encourage active listening and refrain from interrupting or asking questions while someone is sharing.
- After everyone has had a turn, open up the discussion for reflections and insights.
Debrief
Ask the groups how this activity made them feel and what they learned from hearing each other’s stories. Encourage the participants to share how they can apply these insights to their own leadership practices.
#3. Pairs Share
This activity promotes communication and understanding between team members through sharing their leadership experiences.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Pair up the participants and have them sit facing each other.
- Explain that they will take turns sharing a specific leadership experience with their partner while the other person actively listens without interrupting.
- After both people have shared, encourage them to discuss any similarities or differences in their experiences.
Debrief
Ask each pair to share a key takeaway from this activity. Encourage them to apply these insights to enhance their collaboration and shared leadership practices in the workplace.
#4. One-Word Check-In
In this exercise, each team member shares one word that describes a key leadership trait they admire, creating a quick and insightful discussion.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Have the team members sit in a circle.
- Explain that each person will share one word that represents a leadership trait they admire.
- Allow a few moments for everyone to think, then go around the circle and have each person share their word. Also, they should explain why they chose that word.
Debrief
Ask the group how this activity made them feel and what insights they gained from hearing each other’s choices. Encourage the team members to reflect on how these traits can be applied in their own daily work.
#5. Rapid Fire Feedback
In this activity, participants give each other quick and honest feedback on their leadership strengths and areas for improvement.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Have the team members sit in pairs facing each other.
- Explain that they will have 2 minutes to provide feedback on their partner’s leadership skills. One person will give the feedback while the other actively listens without responding or defending themselves.
- After both people have shared, switch roles and repeat the activity.
Debrief
Ask each pair to share a key takeaway from this activity. Encourage them to reflect on how they can apply this honest feedback to improve their leadership appoach.
#6. Values Exploration
This exercise helps participants identify their personal values and understand how they align with the shared values of the organization.
Time: You decide
Materials: Index cards with some values written on them
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Explain that each person will choose 3-5 values from the cards that resonate with them personally.
- Ask them to reflect on why these values are important to them and how they align with the organization’s shared values.
- After everyone has had time to think, encourage a group discussion about the importance of shared values in leadership.
Debrief
Discuss any insights or connections made between personal and shared values. Encourage the participants to reflect on how these values can guide their professional life and decision-making.
#7. Empathy Walk
This exercise allows participants to practice empathy by putting themselves in someone else’s shoes and considering different perspectives.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Divide the group members into pairs.
- Instruct each pair to imagine themselves in their chosen partner’s role. Have them “walk” around the office, observing everything from their partner’s perspective.
- After both people have had a turn, let them share their observations with the group.
Debrief
Ask each pair to share what they learned from this activity and how it can improve their understanding and communication with others in the workplace. Encourage the participants to apply empathy in their daily life to foster a more collaborative and inclusive environment.
#8. The Perfect Leader
In this activity, participants work together to create a list of qualities that make up the perfect leader.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Flipchart paper or whiteboard, and markers
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Have everyone sit in a circle with the flipchart paper or whiteboard in the center.
- Explain that as a group, they will brainstorm and write down qualities that make up the perfect leader.
- Encourage everyone to participate and build upon each other’s ideas until the list is complete.
Debrief
Discuss the qualities listed and how they align with the team’s collective values. Encourage the team members to reflect on how they can embody these qualities in their own leadership practices.
#9. Story of Success
This exercise allows team members to share their own personal stories of success and reflect on the leadership qualities that helped them achieve it.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Ask each team member to share a story of a time when they felt successful, whether in their personal or professional life.
- After everyone has shared, encourage reflection and discussion on the leadership qualities that contributed to their success.
Debrief
Ask each person to share one key takeaway from this activity. Encourage the team members to apply these insights in their own roles and support each other’s growth.
#10. Mentorship Match-Up
This activity allows participants to connect with each other and establish mentor-mentee relationships for leadership development.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Mentor and mentee cards (can be printed or written on index cards)
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Have everyone sit in a circle.
- Pass out the mentor and mentee cards randomly so that everyone has one of each type.
For example,
Mentor Card: Offer guidance on time management.
Mentee Card: Seek mentorship on setting priorities.
- Explain that mentors should reach out to their assigned mentees after the session to offer guidance and support in their leadership development journey.
Debrief
Ask each person to share who they were matched with and why they think this person would be a good mentor or mentee. Encourage the participants to take advantage of this opportunity for growth and learning from each other.
Want Some Unique Leadership Development Activities?
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Or Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
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Final Words
The above activities are instrumental in promoting collaboration, engagement, and a positive workplace culture. By harnessing the power of collective leadership, organizations can create an environment where individuals feel empowered, valued, and motivated to contribute their best. So, embrace these exercises and witness the transformational impact they can have on driving organizational success.
FAQ: Shared Leadership Activities
You might have these questions in mind.
Why are shared leadership activities important?
These activities are essential for promoting inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration within a workplace. They also help develop various skills such as communication, problem-solving, team building, and decision-making. By engaging individuals at all levels of an organization in such activities, companies can harness the full potential of their team, leading to increased productivity and success.
Can these activities be customized for different organizations?
Yes, these activities can be tailored to fit the specific needs and values of any organization. You can modify them by adding or removing certain elements, depending on your team’s dynamics or goals. Remember to always keep the focus on promoting collaboration, growth, and inclusivity in your workplace culture.
How often should we do shared leadership activities?
The frequency of these activities may vary based on the needs and structure of an organization. It could be done as part of a regular training program or scheduled periodically throughout the year. However, it is crucial to incorporate these activities consistently to maintain a culture of distributed leadership within the workplace.