Each member of your team has God-given strengths – predictable ways he naturally approaches or respond to problems, information, change, and risk.

But each team member likely approaches the Principle of Strengths in different ways. Some are altogether unfamiliar with the concept. Others have been taught to focus on improving their weaknesses … or to accept the culture’s herd mindset that values particular strengths over others …

This exercise helps participants embrace their unique strengths in a very simple, tactile experience.

What You Need for This Exercise

For each participant:

• A piece of paper
• A pen or pencil

What To Do

• Ask each participant to select a blank sheet of paper and draw two horizontal lines across the center of the paper, about one inch apart and two inches from the sides.
• Have participants place the pen in their non-dominant hand. If they are right-handed, they can place the pen in the left hand. If they are left-handed, they can place the pen in their right hand. Have participants use their non-dominant hand to write their first, middle and last names in cursive on the first line.
• Tell participants to move the pen to their dominant hand. On the second line, they can write their first, middle and last names in cursive.
• Process the exercise together. Ask participants to share the following:

Compare the differences you experienced as you completed these two tasks.

What surprised you about doing this exercise?

What encouraged you about doing this exercise?

How does this exercise help you to understand the difference between leading from your weaknesses and leading from your strengths?

How does this exercise help you embrace your strengths?

• Guide the conversation to include these points:

Using your non-dominant hand is not natural, while using your dominant hand is natural. How does that compare with leading from your weaknesses and leading from your strengths – and how does that impact the team?

Using your non-dominant hand is messier than using your dominant hand. How does that compare with leading from your weaknesses and leading from your strengths – and how does that impact the team?

Using your non-dominant hand takes longer than using your dominant hand. How does that compare with leading from your weaknesses and leading from your strengths – and how does that impact the team?

For You To Take Away

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV)

Ministry Insights Exercises offer best practices to put profile data into practice in the workplace, home, ministry, and relationships. How was this exercise a meaningful interaction for you? Share your story with us here.

Leading From Your Strengths (LFYS) Profiles empower Christian leaders, churches, and ministries to discover and use your God-given strengths and be stronger for it individually and together.

 

More Exercises for Team Building

Differences: Do They Divide Your Team or Unite Your Team?

Ice Breaker: 3 x 5 Card Game

Team Building Exercise: My Strengths, Your Strengths, Our Strengths