First Impressions is a participatory activity that uses a deck of cards containing descriptive words organized by color, representing different communication and leadership styles. Participants receive a set of cards and give them to the individuals they feel embody these words based on their first impressions. This activity encourages reflection on initial perceptions, self-awareness, and appreciation of diversity within a group.
Preparation
- Define the purpose:
- Reflect on how first impressions influence our perceptions of others.
- Promote self-awareness and understanding of diverse communication and leadership styles.
- Create an environment for collaborative learning and constructive feedback.
- Prepare materials:
- A deck of cards with descriptive words organized into 4 communication and leadership styles (colors).
- A spacious area for participants to interact freely.
- Set up the space:
- Ensure the space allows participants to move around and communicate comfortably.
- To conduct the activity virtually:
- Use collaborative platforms where words can be visually assigned to different names (e.g., interactive whiteboards or assignment tools).
Step-by-step instructions
- Distribute the cards:
- Provide each participant with a set of cards containing descriptive words related to communication and leadership styles.
- Hand out the cards:
- Instruct participants to move around the space and give their cards to the people they feel best represent those words based on first impressions.
- Individual reflection:
- Each participant reviews the words they received and reflects on whether these align with their self-perception.
- Group discussion:
- Guide a conversation about how first impressions affect perceptions and discuss how these impressions might change over time.
Some ways to group communication and leadership styles, with example word cards
- Communication styles:
- Analytical (Blue): Reflective and logical.
- Examples: Logical, structured, calculated, cautious, thoughtful, methodical, reserved, detail-oriented, realistic, serious.
- Expressive (Yellow): Energetic and creative.
- Examples: Creative, enthusiastic, positive, extroverted, dynamic, visionary, spontaneous, friendly, optimistic, communicative.
- Directive (Red): Focused and decisive.
- Examples: Strategic, decisive, efficient, competitive, ambitious, practical, proactive, determined, courageous, leader.
- Supportive (Green): Empathetic and collaborative.
- Examples: Trustworthy, generous, patient, conciliatory, kind, compassionate, attentive, collaborative, respectful, inclusive.
- Leadership styles:
- Visionary (Yellow): Inspiring and motivating.
- Examples: Innovative, dreamer, adaptable, energetic, visionary, motivating, positive, optimistic, strategic, dynamic.
- Pragmatic (Red): Efficient and results-oriented.
- Examples: Decisive, competitive, practical, efficient, leader, strategic, courageous, proactive, direct, determined.
- Collaborative (Green): Team-oriented.
- Examples: Patient, conciliatory, inclusive, generous, trustworthy, supportive, respectful, collaborative, attentive, motivating.
- Methodical (Blue): Planning and organized.
- Examples: Reflective, disciplined, calculated, realistic, structured, logical, organized, observant, detail-oriented, methodical.
- Personality styles:
- Reflective introvert (Blue): Logical and reserved.
- Examples: Cautious, logical, calculated, observant, methodical, disciplined, structured, detail-oriented, reserved, objective.
- Creative extrovert (Yellow): Energetic and spontaneous.
- Examples: Creative, optimistic, communicative, extroverted, positive, adaptive, visionary, dynamic, spontaneous, energetic.
- Empathetic mediator (Green): Understanding and friendly.
- Examples: Patient, trustworthy, generous, collaborative, supportive, respectful, conciliatory, kind, inclusive, attentive.
- Practical decision-maker (Red): Action-oriented.
- Examples: Strategic, decisive, efficient, practical, competitive, direct, courageous, proactive, leader, determined.
- Thinking styles:
- Logical (Blue): Critical and objective.
- Examples: Skeptical, analytical, logical, deep, reflective, methodical, calculated, detail-oriented, observant, structured.
- Creative (Yellow): Imaginative and innovative.
- Examples: Curious, visionary, adaptable, spontaneous, experimental, energetic, imaginative, creative, inspiring, optimistic.
- Collaborative (Green): Inclusive and motivating.
- Examples: Trustworthy, generous, conciliatory, collaborative, patient, flexible, respectful, inclusive, supportive, kind.
- Resolutive (Red): Decisive and strategic.
- Examples: Efficient, proactive, competitive, decisive, practical, direct, leader, dynamic, courageous, ambitious.
