open · Team Building, Problem Solving · 60 min · 3-30 people · medium energy

Step Up Your Courage: Interviewing the VIP

This role-playing activity helps participants explore and develop courage in social situations by interviewing each other about moments they wished they had acted more courageously. It fosters empathy and provides a safe space to practice new behaviors.

When to use Step Up Your Courage: Interviewing the VIP

Use this method when you want to help participants identify specific situations where they struggle with courage and collaboratively brainstorm solutions.

What it solves

Fear of vulnerability, difficulty identifying specific challenges, lack of practical application of courage-building strategies.

How to run Step Up Your Courage: Interviewing the VIP, step by step

  1. Introduce the session and explain the focus on developing courage in social situations. (5 mins)
  2. Divide participants into teams of three. (5 mins)
  3. Instruct each team to identify a recurring social situation where they wish they had acted more courageously. (5 mins)
  4. Within each team, participants take turns role-playing as Interviewer, Note-taker, and VIP (the person who experienced the situation). The Interviewer asks the VIP about the situation, while the Note-taker documents key elements. Rotate roles every 15-20 minutes. (45 mins)

Materials needed

  • Conversation Format handout
  • Role Cards & Instructions
  • Timer
  • Pens/Pencils

Facilitator tips

  • Provide clear instructions and examples of social situations.
  • Emphasize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for vulnerability.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants may struggle to identify specific situations or feel uncomfortable sharing personal experiences. Encourage them to start with less intense scenarios.
  • Role-playing can feel awkward. Remind participants that it's a practice space and encourage them to embrace the process.

Variations

  • Use different scenarios or prompts to tailor the activity to specific contexts.
  • Incorporate video recording to allow participants to review their performance and identify areas for improvement.

Running it online or hybrid

Use breakout rooms for smaller groups and a shared document for note-taking.

What it produces

Notes from the interview capturing the key elements of the situation and potential areas for improvement.

Origin

Based on work by Daniëlle Takkenberg and Nienke Meulenbroeks — source

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