Babler Leadership Game

Babler Leadership

Time of Activity: 1 hour

Materials needed:

• Colored Alphabetical Letters

o Four Colors

o Red, Blue, and Yellow are necessary

• Leadership style sheets

o 2 per style

o 3 styles

• Board to record scores

• Markers to record scores

• Signs on every table with B-A-B-L-E-R Leadership Training

Objectives:

Students will start to apply appropriate leadership styles. Students will be able to better relate with each other and talk in more constructive ways

Take Home Message:

Leadership is not about bossing someone around or always saying nice things. It is about being helpful, caring, and honest.

Synopsis of the activity:

Students will be challenged to make a product with limited instructions. Their leader will be given a different personality and will “help” them along the way. Students will learn that not every leadership type is going to be helpful and there can be good leaders and there can be bad leaders.

Set up of the activity:

Make sure to have all of the letters in each color and place a set on each table.

Steps of the activity: Not all of these should be read out! Make sure you don’t spoil the game!!

1. Split the group into even teams of 4-6 people.

2. Have the group select one leader

3. Take all leaders into a separate area with the leadership style cards

a. Explain to the leaders the rules of the game and how their team can score points

i. Make sure they understand the game

ii. Make sure they know they might not be able to help their group with the answer depending on the leadership style

b. Pass out one of each leadership style

i. If there are more groups randomly pass out extras

c. Explain that the leaders can only help their team if they are a balanced leader

i. Their group should not be told the answer but should be helped to figure it out

d. Explain to the other leadership styles to follow their personality type when their group is asking for help

i. For the negative type go over good examples so as not to hurt anyone’s feelings

4. Have the leaders go to their assigned areas

5. Each group is going to be tasked with creating a product that shows off “Babler”

a. This will be the only instruction given by the facilitator

6. This is to be shared with the leaders only: To score any points the groups must hand their leader cards that spell out B-A-B-L-E-R.

a. The color and letter order MUST be correct for any piles to count

7. Give the group 5 minutes per stage and 1 minute to turn in their cards and talk with their leaders

a. Only one person from the group is allowed to go up and talk to their leader.

b. The person can only go up ONE time per round

i. If they go up to drop off the cards and forget to ask questions they cannot approach their leader again (don’t share with groups)

ii. If they go up to ask a question and forget their cards, they cannot turn their cards in! (don’t share with groups)

8. Count the cards for correct guesses and give those numbers to the leaders

a. Every correct pile equals one point

9. Each leader will tell everyone about their groups numbers in their assigned leadership style

10. The leaders will then leave area

11. Repeat steps 6-9 two more times

12. Do a final tally of points

13. After the game is over, instruct students to not tell/talk to their classmates about this game. It will ruin the game and they will not be able to learn from it as other groups go to

Instructions for Group Members

1. Nominate your group leader

a. Have leaders step away from group

2. You are tasked with a project to create a product that shows off “Babler”

3. There will be three rounds for you to make your project and share it with your leader. Each round will be 5 minutes

4. In between rounds you will have one minute to drop off your product with your leader and to ask your leader any questions you have

5. Only one person is allowed to go up to the leader during the drop off/question phase. You may only go up to the leader one time

6. Your product will be evaluated and each round every leader will share how many points their group got

7. You are not allowed to listen to other groups and you are not allowed to listen to other leaders

8. During each round you are not allowed to ask your leader for help

Debrief Questions

For the start of debrief questions keep the leaders separate from their groups to make sure to talk to all the leaders

1. How do you make the right product?

a. How did your group know this?

b. Did anyone else figure this out?

2. Was your leader helpful in making the correct product?

a. What did your leader do that was either helpful or not helpful?

i. How did you feel about that?

3. Leaders what was your style? (Go through everyone’s style)

4. Leaders how did you feel using that style?

a. What do you wish you could have done differently?

b. How do you think your group reacted to your leadership style?

Have Leaders return to their groups. Instruct groups that it was just a game and to be nice to their leader

5. Did any group do better than they expected?

a. Leadership style might not affect how well groups preform immediately but it can affect how groups feel in the long run

6. What do you think it takes to be a great leader and communicator?

a. Is it always easy?

7. How do you think you can use this when it comes to your day to day life?

Nice Leader

Description: The nice leader only has positive things to say. They are not worried about their group getting the right answer as long as they are trying!

How to give advice to group: Compliment their efforts! Say things such as, “I am proud of your work” or, “I am sure you amazing people did a great job.” If the group asks questions just stay positive and encourage them to try anything they want. Do not answer any questions!

How to talk about group in front of everyone: Keep everything positive! Always encourage them to keep trying, keep up the great creativity, keep working together as a team. The more happy, silly and positive, the better!

Remember: Do not give them any advice on how to solve the game!

Critical Leader

Description: This leader only has critical things to say about their group. They want their group to do well but are too critical to give good advice.

How to give advice to group: Always remind the group you need them to do a good job. Put a lot of pressure on them to do well. Say things such as, “I hope these are right” or, “These need to be better than they were last time!” If the group asks questions just remind them they should be able to figure it out on their own or they are too smart to need help. Do not answer any questions!

How to talk about group in front of everyone: Keep everything negative. Explain that your group did poorly. Encourage them to try harder, work longer, and be better. The more negative the better. Make sure to not say anything specific about people to not hurt their feelings

Remember: Do not give them any advice on how to solve the game!

Balanced Leader

Description: This leader is the ideal style. They are positive but will also offer advice and guidance when needed

How to give advice to group: Encourage the group! Make sure you help them along their project. If they ask you a questions answer it for them! If they cannot think of any questions give them some helpful tips. If they ask: “How do I get points” do not give the right answer right away, make them ask better questions.

How to talk about group in front of everyone: Encourage them and talk about how they did well. Talk about how they are going to work hard and they will get the right results and you know they will do great!

Remember: After the first round, do not tell them the answer unless they ask a specific question. After the second round feel free to give them as much help as possible so they can get the right answer!