Exercises with Images

One of the neuroscience based learning techniques that I have the hardest time incorporating into my trainings and meetings is leveraging images.  I’ve adapted one exercise to incorporate images and have found several valuable variations.

Exercise: Conclusion activity to express current thinking

1. Everyone stands in a circle
2. Images (should have 3x as many images as people) are laid out on the floor in the middle of the circle
3. Ask everyone to select an image that best represents what they are currently thinking/feeling as this training/meeting/etc is ending
4. Once everyone is holding an image, provide next instructions: when you are ready, please step forward and briefly explain why you selected that card.
5. When everyone has gone (including you), thank everyone.

Exercise: Connecting activity to express skill they bring to the team

1. Everyone stands in a circle
2. Images (should have 3x as many images as people) are laid out on the floor in the middle of the circle
3. Ask everyone to select an image that best represents what role/skill/etc they bring to the team
4. Once everyone is holding an image, provide next instructions: when you are ready, please step forward and briefly explain why you selected that card.
5. When everyone has gone (including you), thank everyone.

Some of the value I’ve experienced from these types of exercises:

• Most people enjoy finding an image; some even try to pick several
• Option for what level of sharing an individual chooses (some go very deep, some use humor, some share something extremely personal, some are very quick such as overwhelmed).  There is no right share.
• Images give a safety of how the person shares – the image in some ways helps frame the words for an individual without feeling completely exposed by just sharing emotions.

I do feel I should share a few warnings:

• They may try to keep the photos.  This is problematic if you have an expensive card stock of photos.
• There may be tears, especially with the conclusion activity listed above.  Ok, it may have mostly been my tears but they happen.  This is not a bad thing but images definitely trigger some deeper links to the questions posed.
• Need to be aware of the attendees ability to bend and pick up cards from the floor:  adjust with a table if needed.

What exercises could you incorporate imagery?

Note:  The irony that I did this post without images is not lost upon me!