Life Paths Session
Inclusive Teams
Workshop Goals
- Build stronger connections and foster psychological safety.
- Develop self-awareness and reflect on key events in our lives to better understand and manage our stressors.
- Create awareness and empathy for the experiences of others and how it shapes our day-to-day interactions.
Description
The things we face in our lives shape who we are and how we show up to others. This team experience allows participants to reflect on their life experiences and practice vulnerability by sharing with each other. Through reflecting on key events in our lives, we not only gain a better understanding of ourselves and develop self-awareness in a way which helps us manage our stressors, we also build stronger connections to our team and increase psychological safety. By not comparing or contrasting our experiences, but rather working to understand that every experience is infinitely complex and vivid to the person living it, we are better able to value the experience of others and approach challenges with empathy.
Quick FAQs
TIME
60 mins
TEAM SIZE
2+ people
FORMAT
Virtual with slide deck and activity guide
EXPERIENCE CATEGORY
Inclusive Teams
What you'll need
Materials
For this workshop, you'll need:
- Your own copy of the slide deck template
- Activity Guide for debrief questions
- Optional: a playlist ready for sections with quiet work
Facilitator Notes
This workshop includes facilitator notes (Activity Guide) in addition to speaker notes in the slide deck. They are particularly useful for guiding the debrief discussion. They are not a script - we encourage you to lead the session with your own personal flair and style!
Step-by-Step
- Though the experience gives participants time to complete their life path, you may want to consider sharing the template in advance or asking your participants to think beforehand about moments in their lives which shaped them and bring images with them to the discussion.
- Review the debrief discussion points in the facilitator notes so you are well prepared to guide the discussion.
Let your team know you'd like to run an experience to learn more about each other and build empathy within the team for the experiences we have each had. Let them know this session is related to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and ask in advance if your team is comfortable sharing aspects of their personal lives.
- This experience can take a longer amount of time and should not be rushed. Be sure to plan enough time for people to share their stories.
- The facilitator should always participate in this experience as well.
- You might uncover personal details about one another. We recommend this activity after your team has high levels of inclusion and psychological safety.
- Be clear that this experience is about valuing diverse experiences, not about comparing and contrasting.
- Ask your team if they are comfortable sharing their Life Paths in a shared drive for the team.
- Hold DI&B conversations regularly in your team so that this experience does not feel isolated.
- Encourage your team to set up coffee chats amongst themselves to continue getting to know each other better if they feel comfortable.
Not quite right?
If these sessions don't cover the topic you're looking for, seem too light-touch, or you want to take a deeper dive, we recommend taking another look at our Facilitated Team Development instead. Unsure exactly what's right for your team? Contact L&D for a consultation and we'll help you find the right training for your needs!