Are you in search of women’s leadership group activities?
Every day, more and more females are rising to leadership positions in the workplace. However, many still face challenges and barriers in their professional development. If you are part of a women’s leadership group, you need the right activities to help foster growth and support for one another.
In this article, let’s see 10 group activities for women leaders. These exercises can help build skills, boost confidence, and create a sense of community within your group.
Choosing the Right Activities for Your Women’s Leadership Groups
When selecting group activities for your women’s leadership program, it is essential to consider the specific goals, needs, and preferences of your participants. Effective activities should align with the program’s objectives, foster meaningful engagement, and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right group activities:
Participant Profiles: Assess the backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels of your participants. Tailor activities to meet their diverse needs and ensure an inclusive and engaging experience for all.
Program Objectives: Clearly define the desired outcomes of your women’s leadership program, such as developing specific leadership competencies, building confidence, or fostering networking opportunities. Choose activities that directly support these objectives.
Learning Styles: Incorporate a variety of activities that cater to different learning styles, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. This approach ensures that all participants can actively engage and maximize their learning experience.
Time and Resource Constraints: Consider the available time and resources when selecting activities. Some exercises may require more preparation, facilitation, or materials than others. Ensure that the chosen activities can be effectively executed within the given constraints.
Feedback and Evaluation: Regularly seek feedback from participants and evaluate the effectiveness of the activities. This information can guide future adjustments and help you refine the selection process for optimal impact.
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right activities that best suit your team.
10 Women’s Leadership Group Activities
Here are some team building activities specifically designed for women leaders.
#1. The Strengths Game
This activity helps women leaders recognize their strengths and how they can utilize them effectively in their leadership roles. It also encourages team members to appreciate and understand each other’s strengths.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Strengths cards
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Ask each participant to draw a strengths card. The strengths card should have a particular strength written on it.
- In pairs, each participant shares how they have used the strength in their leadership role or life.
- After sharing, the other person gives feedback on how they perceive that strength in the speaker.
Debrief
Discuss how understanding and utilizing individual strengths can benefit the entire team. Reflect on any new insights gained about oneself and others in the group.
#2. Values Exchange
This exercise helps women leaders understand each other’s values and how they align with the group’s shared values. It also encourages open communication and respect for different perspectives.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Value cards
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Give each participant a set of value cards. The value card should have a particular value written on it.
- In pairs, participants take turns picking a card and explaining why that value is important to them.
- After both participants have shared their values, they discuss any similarities or differences and how they can work together effectively despite these differences.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of understanding and respecting individual values within a team. Encourage the ways to bridge any potential conflicts that may arise due to different values.
#3. Leadership Style Quiz
This activity helps the participants identify their leadership styles and how they can work with other leadership styles in a team. It also promotes self-awareness and understanding of others’ working styles.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Leadership style quiz handouts
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Provide each participant with the leadership style quiz handout.
- Participants answer the questions and calculate their dominant leadership style.
- In groups, participants discuss their results and share insights about their strengths and potential challenges as a leader with this style.
- Then, they should brainstorm ways to collaborate effectively with other leadership styles.
Debrief
Reflect on the different leadership styles within the group and how they can complement each other to achieve common goals. Encourage open communication and adaptability in working with different leadership styles.
#4. Leadership Journey Map
This exercise helps female leaders reflect on their personal and professional growth journey. It also encourages self-awareness and goal-setting.
Time: You decide
Materials: Paper and markers
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Participants draw a timeline of their leadership journey, including significant milestones and challenges they have faced.
- They share their maps with the group and discuss how these experiences have shaped them as leaders.
- Encourage participants to identify one goal or area for growth based on their reflections.
Debrief
Reflect on the power of self-awareness and continuous growth in leadership. Encourage support and accountability within the team in achieving these goals.
#5. Vision Boarding
This activity helps female leaders visualize their goals and aspirations. It also encourages creativity and collaboration within the group.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Poster boards and markers
Participants: 3-8 people in a group
Instructions
- Provide each group member with a poster board, and some markers.
- Now, they should create a visual representation of their personal and professional goals. They can use pictures, words, or any other creative elements.
- Encourage them to also include aspects of their ideal work environment and leadership style in the vision board.
- Finally, each group member shares their vision board with the others and explains the significance of each element.
Debrief
Discuss the power of visualization in achieving goals and how sharing one’s vision can inspire others. Encourage support and accountability within the team towards each other’s goals.
#6. The Marshmallow Challenge
This exercise promotes problem-solving and teamwork among women leaders. It also encourages creative thinking and adaptability.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Marshmallows, spaghetti sticks, tape, and string
Participants: 4-8 people in a team
Instructions
- Divide the participants into teams.
- Each team has to build the tallest structure using the materials provided, with a marshmallow on top.
- The structure must be able to stand on its own for at least ten seconds.
Debrief
Discuss the challenges faced during the activity and how teams worked together to overcome them. Encourage reflection on how this can apply to real-life situations in leadership roles.
#7. Role Reversal
This exercise helps the participants understand different perspectives and challenges within their team. It also promotes empathy and communication.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Role cards (e.g., CEO, manager, employee, etc.)
Participants: 3-6 individuals per team
Instructions
- Provide a scenario to the group, such as handling conflicts or making tough decisions.
- Assign each group member a role card.
- The group members discuss how their roles would handle the situation. Then, they should share their insights.
Debrief
Discuss any new perspectives gained from seeing things from a different role’s point of view. Encourage empathy and effective communication in addressing conflicts or making decisions within the team.
#8. Storytelling Circle
This activity promotes team building and communication through storytelling. It also encourages vulnerability and trust within the group.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Group members sit in a circle, and one person starts by sharing a personal or professional story.
- The next person continues with their own story that connects to the previous one.
- Continue until everyone in the circle has shared their story.
Debrief
Discuss how storytelling can create connections and build trust within a team. Encourage open communication and understanding of each other’s experiences.
#9. Strengths-Based Feedback
This exercise helps the participants give and receive feedback in a constructive way. It also promotes self-awareness and understanding of others’ strengths.
Time: You decide
Materials: Feedback forms with categories such as communication, leadership, etc., and pens
Participants: Any number of people in a group
Instructions
- Group members fill out the feedback forms for each other, focusing on their strengths within different categories.
- They take turns sharing their feedback with each other and discussing ways to leverage these strengths within their team.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of acknowledging and utilizing individual strengths within a team. Encourage continuous growth through constructive feedback.
#10. Escape Room
This activity promotes teamwork and problem-solving skills among female leaders. It also encourages adaptability and creative thinking.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Escape room kit or DIY materials (clues, puzzles, and locks)
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into teams and give each team an escape room kit or DIY materials.
- Ask each team to solve puzzles and find clues to escape the room within a designated time.
- The team that escapes first wins.
Debrief
Discuss how teams collaborated, communicated, and utilized their strengths to successfully escape. Encourage reflection on problem-solving strategies that can be applied in leadership roles.
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Or Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
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Final Words
Leadership development is a continuous process that thrives on intentional practice and reflection. By engaging in these activities, women leaders can deepen their understanding of their unique strengths, work through challenges effectively, and align their personal goals with their team’s vision. Ultimately, the goal is to inspire leaders to grow with confidence, empathy, and resilience, driving impactful change within their organizations.
FAQ: Women’s Leadership Group Activities
You might have these questions in mind.
Can these activities be conducted virtually?
Yes, most of these activities can be adapted for virtual settings with some modifications. For example, the storytelling circle can be done through video conferencing, and the escape room activity can be conducted using online escape room platforms.
Are these activities suitable for men as well?
Absolutely! These activities are designed to promote leadership skills and qualities that are beneficial for anyone in a leadership role, regardless of gender.
How often should we conduct these activities?
It is recommended to conduct these activities on a regular basis (e.g., once a month) to continue developing and strengthening leadership skills within your team.
Do I need any specific training or expertise to facilitate these activities?
No, these activities can be easily facilitated by anyone with basic leadership skills and an understanding of the instructions provided. However, it is always helpful to have a debrief session after each activity to reflect and discuss key takeaways. So, make sure to prepare some thought-provoking questions beforehand.