10 Leadership Dynamics for Children, Adolescents and Adults

The leadership dynamics They can help adults and children to be better leaders, stimulating the ability to guide, motivate, manage teams, initiative, make decisions, etc..

Having good leaders in the company or in the field in which we work will have multiple positive repercussions. Among them, it will improve the performance of the work team and contribute to a high level of motivation and satisfaction..

We must know that when working on any dynamics related to leadership, it is not only intended to promote leadership, but to know the strengths and weaknesses of each of the members and see how they can fit into the different types of leadership.

Throughout this post, we will see 10 leadership dynamics that we can use in our work context: company, office, classroom, etc. Adapting them to the needs of our team to obtain the greatest possible benefit.

It is important to take into account, when we do a dynamic, that people know what the objective of it is. If it is not notified in advance that, at the end, there is a time of reflection in which these questions are clear.

In addition, it is advisable to work them within working hours so that there are no people trying to avoid the moment. The space can be a different one than usual, in this way, they will be able to do it with less pressure.

Another aspect to take into account is that they must be notified in advance when they are carried out. When the time comes and before starting the activity, check that everyone is clear about and has understood the instructions that have been provided.

Dynamics to build leadership

1- The Lazarillo

• Objective: Show that the group works best with a single leader.
• Time required: 20 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: 10 persons.
• Place: better, outdoors.
• Necessary materials: 5 masks, 3 tables, glasses of water, jugs of water and water.
• Steps to follow:

1. Two groups of five people each are created.
2. In a group, four people have their eyes covered and the fifth is the leader. In the other group, there are four leaders (they do not cover their eyes) and the fifth one covers their eyes.
3. At one end, two tables with glasses and jugs of water are placed. In the other, a table with empty jugs.
4. The leader or leaders (depending on the group) must guide the others from one end to the other to fill the empty jugs with the water from the glass..

• Discussion: the final reflection is very important in which everyone can express their opinion and the facilitator makes them see what is the best way of working.

2- Touch the flag

• Goals:

1. Perform protection-related skills.
2. Encourage group motivation.
3. Identify the leader (s) of the group.

• Time required: 20 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: it is indifferent.
• Place: better, outdoors.
• Necessary materials: two flags or identifying elements.
• Steps to follow:

1. Two groups with the same number of participants are created at random.
2. The playing field is divided in half. So each team has its own space.
3. It is about the players of each team attacking the opposite side, taking possession of the rival team's flag and, finally, taking it to their field.
4. If a player is intercepted by an opponent in the foreign field, he must touch the flag of the opposing team to avoid being eliminated.

• Discussion: The team that takes the flag of its rivals to its opposite field first wins. If after the stipulated time with the facilitator none of them has achieved it, an extra time can be given or the team that has suffered the least eliminations can be awarded the winner position..
• Other comments: This dynamic is very famous and can be used in different groups, even with children.

3- The circle

• Goals:

1. Identify the leader (s) of the group.
2. Identify the type of leadership.

• Time required: 20 minutes approximately.
• Group size: it is indifferent.
• Place: better, outdoors.
• Necessary materials: None in particular.
• Steps to follow:

1. Group members will be asked to stand in a circle and hold hands.
2. Afterwards, they will be told to form different figures, holding hands together. For example: a triangle, a star, a house, etc..

• Discussion: What is really important about this dynamic is not the result of the figures, but how communication flows and who are the people who take the initiative when carrying out the exercises. Finally, there should be a space for reflection in which these issues are addressed and all members of the group have the opportunity to express their opinion.

4- The ideal leader

• Objective: Reflect on the skills and qualities to lead a group.
• Time required: 120 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: it is indifferent.
• Place: spacious and comfortable room.
• Necessary materials: masking tape, flip chart, and markers.
• Steps to follow:

1. The group is divided into three subgroups with at least four members. If the groups are unbalanced, it is determined that all have the same number of components and the rest remain as observer (s).
2. Each group receives a name and the materials.
3. The facilitator explains that each group represents a different culture and that they must strive to preserve it.
4. Fifteen minutes are given for the groups to meet and develop the sociocultural profile of their planet following a series of questions: physical appearance, religion (spirituality), climate and landscape, socioeconomic structure, roles, etc..
5. Each group chooses a representative who will present the characteristics to the rest of the classmates.
6. The group facilitator must highlight the differences and similarities that exist between the groups.
7. They meet again in groups and, in 10 minutes, they must make a list of the five qualities and skills that a good leader must have.
8. The spokespersons introduce it to the rest of the group.
9. At this point, the facilitator promotes consensus between groups. He adds that he will redistribute the groups on the occasion of an intergalactic war.
10. The members of the new groups will have to iron out rough edges and leave behind their cultural differences and define the profile of a leader that is accepted by the three cultures. They will have 30 minutes.
11. One spokesperson is chosen per group and the spokesperson will promote a new debate in which it must be resolved: a). A leadership profile accepted by all. b). List of elements related to leadership that changed from one situation to another.

• Discussion: In this dynamic, the role played by the facilitator is very important so that times are respected and conduct the dynamics appropriately.

5- Paper planes

• Objective: Help reinforce the leader's skills.
• Time required:
• Group size: it is indifferent.
• Place: large room to work in groups.
• Steps to follow:

1. Divide the group into subgroups. Each of them must choose a leader.
2. They are given 20 minutes for each group to design their own airplane model and make several, depending on the number of members.
3. By groups, each member has a landing opportunity.
4. The team that has successfully launched the most planes onto the learning track wins.

• Discussion: In the moment of reflection, the leaders will be asked what tasks they carried out during the construction time and, also, the group members how they felt throughout the dynamic, if they were listened to, what they took into account to choose the leader , etc.

6- Leadership styles

• Objective: Know the self-assessment of employees and the opinion of the rest.
• Time required: 30 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: it is indifferent.
• Place: wide room.
• Necessary materials: blackboard and something to write on it (chalk or markers).
• Steps to follow:

1. In a visible place, the different types of leaders will be detailed: the counselor, the moderator, the expert, the critic, the pessimist, etc..
2. They allow a few minutes for each one to assess in which group they feel most identified.
3. The facilitator will lead a group reflection in which each person will explain why they will feel in a certain style and their peers will give their opinion and if they agree, or not, with their decision.

• Discussion: it may happen that personal perception differs from that of colleagues. In these cases, the activity will be more enriching.

7- Knot of people

• Objective: Enhance the analytical capacity of the leader and his function of giving guidelines to the rest of his colleagues.
• Time required:
• Group size: it is indifferent.
• Place: spacious room or outdoor.
• Necessary materials: None in particular.
• Steps to follow:

1. The instructor will ask one of the group members to stand in the center and his classmates to do so in a circle around him..
2. The people in the circle should shake hands with the person they want. When they have done so and without letting go, they should shake hands with another partner.
3. At this time, the person in the center of the circle should form different circles while their partners hold hands. You will have to analyze what interactions have arisen and you will have to give the necessary instructions to untangle the knot.

• Discussion: In reflection, the analytical capacity of the leader and the ability to give direction to his colleagues should be addressed.

 8- Counting blind

• Objective: Understand the importance of cohesion and organization within the group.
• Time required: 20 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: about 10 people.
• Place: wide room.
• Necessary materials: masks to cover the eyes.
• Steps to follow:

1. Place the different members of the group randomly.
2. They must count to a certain number (for example, 20) in an orderly fashion.
3. They should do it without two people saying the same number at the same time. In the event that it occurs, they should begin.

• Discussion: as they take a while, it will be seen how there is a greater connection in the group. We must emphasize the importance of this connection because it is not really being seen nor do they have to be close.
• Other comments: reflect on the importance of the organization, both by the leader and among the team members.

 9- We adopt a new role

• Objective: Evaluate the sensations that we experience in a personal way in the relationship with the different members of the group.
• Time required: 30 minutes, approximately.
• Group size: Ideally, 7 people will participate, the rest will be able to participate as observers.
• Place: Large site that encourages members to sit in a circle.
• Necessary materials: 7 stickers.
• Steps to follow:

1. The group facilitator will ask the group members to sit in a circle and will stick a sticker on each one of them on which the classmates will see how to act with him. The roles can be the following: everyone agrees with him, everyone ignores him, everyone treats him with compassion, everyone laughs every time he speaks, everyone dismisses what he says, everyone disagrees, everyone responds aggressively.
2. A topic for discussion is established in the group, for example, how the vacation periods will be divided among all.
3. They are allowed to interact for the time determined by the facilitator, it is recommended that it be 15 minutes.

• Discussion: At the moment of reflection, everyone should express how they have felt and if they have felt comfortable with their role. The group leader will be identified and if they have performed their role well.

 10- Leader Wanted

• Goals:
• Identify who has the greatest managerial capacity.
• Empower leadership skills in a positive way.
• Time required:
• Group size:
• Place: large room where you can work in groups.
• Necessary materials: None in particular.
• Steps to follow:

1. The group facilitator distributes the participants into two groups. Within the group, each member will have to perform a task set by the facilitator.
2. Within each group, the role of leader rotates. So that all members have the opportunity to lead their peers.
3. When all the rounds have finished, it will be the group that chooses a leader from among them to carry out a final task.

• Discussion: final reflection in which all members can express why they chose a specific partner.

Here is a summary video with the most outstanding dynamics:

Other dynamics of interest

Group dynamics for young people.

Assertive communication dynamics.

Motivational dynamics.

Self-esteem dynamics.

Dynamics of emotional intelligence.

Group integration dynamics.

Creativity dynamics.

Trust dynamics.

Dynamics of conflict resolution.

Stock dynamics.

Presentation dynamics.

Teamwork dynamics.

References

1. Soto, Beatriz. Leadership dynamics.
2. European school of management. 3 simple leadership dynamics to develop in the office.
3. European school of management. 5 excellent activities for a leadership workshop.
4. Gerza. Integration of work teams and group dynamics.
5. OBS Bussines School. Leadership Dynamics: Flying Paper Airplanes.