Mirror Exercise
In pairs in front of the class to demonstrate, then everyone.
Kate
MikeGoal
Listening & awareness, trust, warm-up, communication
Instructions
Game Flow
- Have participants form pairs
- Have pairs face each other and pick an A and a B
- Assign Bs to be the leaders and As to be the followers. Explain that any movement the leader makes, the follower will copy, as if they are a mirror image.
- After a few minutes of Bs leading, instruct the pairs to switch leaders.
- After a few minutes of As leading, instruct the pairs to pass the lead back and forth at their own discretion until they themselves are unsure who is leading and who is following.
Tips
- Ask participants to play silently
- Coach participants to take care of their partners—if the follower can't keep up, it is the leader's responsibility to slow down.
- Remind the followers that they are responding as if they are a mirror reflection. Coach them individually, if need be.
Variation
- Have them do the opposite of whatever the leader is doing
Debrief
What does this have to do with [presentation/science communication/leadership]?
Were you more comfortable leading or following?
What are the characteristics of a good leader?
What are the characteristics of a good follower?
Background
Source of this activity:
Adapted from Viola Spolin. Published in Training to Imagine, by Kat Koppitt.
About me:
I am the owner of Creative Sandbox Solutions™, a Silicon Valley-based learning and development consultancy that helps senior tech leaders increase their influence and reduce conflict by helping their teams communicate and connect better so their research has impact across the organization. Our team- and leadership-development programs strengthen connection, communication, collaboration, clarity, and creativity. All with play-based methods that make the experience memorable and fun!
https://creativesandbox.solutions
melissa@creativesandbox.solutions
(415) 860-5463
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