Think About It | Leadership Heights

LEADERSHIP TRAILS

Think About It

Scouting

After many days of weary travel, extraterrestrials, radiation leaks, precious mineral negotiations, creepy nights and eerie days, you’ve finally arrived back at base camp and exited Area 51. Your team is exhausted from the travel and the sacrifices to reach your goal. You want nothing but to take a shower and lay down in your comfortable bed.

You are stopped on your way in by one of the scout executives responsible to Area 51. “What did you learn on your trip?” they ask in a cheery voice. You take a deep breath and begin, “I know this sounds bizarre, but hear me out….”

Goal

Speak for one minute in an improvisational manner

Goal

Speak for one minute in an improvisational manner

Purpose

Practice skills of communication, improvisation, and confidence.

Materials

Timekeeping device

Setup

Form groups of 3-4 scouts and have each scout think of two completely different topics.

Purpose

Practice skills of communication, improvisation, and confidence.

Materials

Timekeeping device

Setup

Form groups of 3-4 scouts and have each scout think of two completely different topics.

Running the game

Scouts are asked to connect two completely different topics together through a fanciful (possibly conspiratorial) rant.

Choose a scout to be the first speaker
One group member suggests two completely different topics that the scout must connect through a minute long explanation
- For example, the prompt might be Fortnite and the SATs. The scout might begin explaining how playing Fortnite has allowed them to become better at building phsyical structures, that those physical structures involve triangles, that triangles use the Pythagorean theorem, the Pythagorean theorem is part of geometry, geometry is a topic that is tested on the SAT, and thus playing Fortnite is the most effective way of studying for the SAT.
The group member must speak for one minute, using any chain of logic that comes to mind, and end the talk with “think about it!”
Each group member should get a chance at speaking, with another group member suggesting the topic each time.

Debrief

The following debrief questions are meant to give you an opportunity to discuss with your patrol mates and reflect on the game. You can have one leader ask the discussion questions or you could take turns asking the questions, making sure everyone’s voice is heard.

The focus of this game is on the skills of communication and confidence.

How difficult was it to speak for a continuous minute? What were the challenges you faced when doing so?
Did you notice anything about your communication style as you spoke? What goals do you have for improving your speaking?
What were your emotions as you spoke? Did you feel scared, excited, amused? How might this translate to other leadership situations where you might be called on to speak?