Emotional Intelligence Icebreakers and Energisers

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To demonstrate that our perspective on a situation might be very different to someone else’s and that this does not necessarily mean one party is ‘right’ and one is ‘wrong’.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• Copies of the house pictures provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the topic of Emotional Intelligence.
• To understand what Emotional Intelligence means to each individual participant.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper, colourful pens and coloured stickers or shapes.

Notes:
As a variation, you can ask your participants to create a collage, instead of a drawing. If you choose this option you will also need a collection of old magazines, postcards, birthday cards etc., scissors and glue.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore how your participants feel about a variety of changes.

Group Size:
This activity can be used with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A piece of string or rope that is approximately 4 metres long.

Notes:
You will need a clear space in which to lay out your ‘Change Spectrum’ and for participants to move along it.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To allow participants to articulate their own ideas about their strengths and what they can bring to the group.
• To understand how others in the group think of themselves and their strengths.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A box of random items – enough to give every participant a choice.

Notes:
This is a great exercise to use where you want to encourage participants to think creatively.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify some of the key themes participants will be exploring in the forthcoming training around emotional intelligence.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone attending a course or workshop that focuses on emotional intelligence.

You'll Need:
• A printed copy of the large (A3) Trainer version of the Word Search grid provided, affixed to a flipchart.

Notes:
A small prize for the winning team would be nice, though not essential.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 40 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To help participants understand the impact of their behaviours on others and the part they can play in developing and improving difficult relationships at work.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Everyone who interacts with others at work.

You'll Need:
• 2 different colour pens for each participant (to complete the handout).

Notes:
A great exercise to demonstrate our role in conflict with others. It’s designed to help anyone reflect on how to improve their workplace relationships, not just those who are in conflict. It is also a useful addition to Emotional Intelligence training.

We do recommend that you practice reading Flenda’s Tale aloud a couple of times before using this exercise.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• For participants to explore and identify what equality means to them.
• To understand what equality means to others.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Random magazines and art materials such as coloured pens and paper.

Notes:
This activity is a great way to explore what equality means. However, it is best suited to more experienced trainers and facilitators as it might expose negativity towards the topic of equality and diversity. This, in itself, however, can be useful to the trainer.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand the interests and priorities of fellow participants.
• To identify the benefits of getting to know those we interact with at work.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Running times will increase with larger groups.

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants get to know each other.
• To encourage participants to think about key words that reflect their feelings about the course or the topic that the course covers.
• To encourage a sense of teamwork and togetherness.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

You'll Need:
• A4 sheets of paper in various colours.
• Glue sticks and fine black marker pens (1 for every 3-4 participants).

Notes:
This icebreaker can be adapted to any topic where you want participants to feel part of a team or explore feelings connected to being part of a team. It would also make a fun launch for a conference.

Please note that there is a small amount of preparation required for this exercise.

Time:
This exercise will take about 22 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to focus on positive outcomes.
• To encourage participants to reflect on and become more aware of their inner dialogue and the impact it has.
• To provide a simple tool to help participants reframe their thinking to make it more positive.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of of up to 24 participants. It can also be adapted for 1-1 training.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This short activity can be used as an icebreaker or energiser in any training around resilience and positive thinking.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To provide an opportunity for participants to learn something about each other.
• To help participants learn more about each other’s values and motivators.
• To understand the importance of an awareness of the personal values of those they seek to influence.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Printed copies of the images provided on sheets of A4 paper.

Notes:
You can use any images for this activity.

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the positive impact of assertive communication when working with others.
• To describe how communication helped or hindered their problem solving.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A length of rope. (We suggest around 1 metre per participant.)
• A blindfold for each participant.

Notes:
If using this exercise with very large groups, you will need volunteers to take part and the remaining participants act as observers.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to consider the difference between good and bad customer service.
• To reflect on the impact good and bad customer service has on other customers.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels, especially those in a customer-facing role.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise can be run as a stand-alone session or you can follow it up with LACE – Handling Unhappy Customers.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To define what bullying and harassment are and to explore their impact in the workplace.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• To prepare flipcharts containing ACAS’ definitions of bullying and of harassment if you don’t wish to use the PowerPoint slides provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage people to reflect on the assumptions we make and the labels we attach to people.
• To understand that there is more to people than what we see on the surface.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided. But for a more visual/engaging exercise, you could provide participants physical representations of the products listed in the activity to sort.

Notes:
This is a great icebreaker for any topic where it’s helpful for participants consider whether categorising people is fair, and the impact this can have on beliefs and behaviour.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.