diverge · Team Building · 125 min · 3-4 people · medium energy

The Superhero in Me

This activity encourages participants to explore their strengths, weaknesses, and challenges by embodying them as superhero, sidekick, and nemesis characters. It fosters self-awareness and provides a creative framework for personal development and understanding.

When to use The Superhero in Me

Use this method when you want to help individuals gain deeper self-awareness in a fun and engaging way, particularly at the beginning of a course or team-building exercise.

What it solves

Lack of self-awareness, difficulty in identifying personal strengths and weaknesses, reluctance to discuss personal challenges.

How to run The Superhero in Me, step by step

  1. Divide participants into groups of 3-4 and instruct them to define their individual strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. Provide guiding questions if needed. (20 mins)
  2. Have each participant create three characters: a superhero (strengths), a sidekick (weaknesses), and a nemesis (challenges). Encourage creative expression in their drawings and character descriptions. (30 mins)
  3. Each participant presents their characters to their group, explaining their qualities. Allocate 3 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes for constructive feedback from peers. (50 mins)
  4. Based on the feedback received, participants reflect on their characters and make adjustments to better represent their self-awareness. (10 mins)
  5. Participants use their characters as a lens for ongoing reflection throughout the course, answering reflective questions related to each character on a weekly basis. (10 mins)

Materials needed

  • Paper or digital drawing tools
  • Pens/markers
  • Superhero Canvas (template)
  • Guiding questions for defining strengths, weaknesses, and challenges
  • Reflective questions for each character
  • Guidelines for giving and receiving feedback

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage participants to be creative and have fun with the character creation process.
  • Emphasize the importance of constructive feedback and respectful communication during the sharing phase.
  • Provide examples of strengths, weaknesses, and challenges to help participants get started.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants may struggle to identify their weaknesses or challenges. Provide a safe and supportive environment to encourage vulnerability.
  • Feedback sessions can become critical or judgmental. Remind participants of the guidelines for giving and receiving feedback.
  • Some participants may feel uncomfortable drawing. Offer alternative ways to represent their characters, such as writing descriptions or using images.

Variations

  • Use a deck of cards with unusual character features to inspire character creation.
  • Have participants create a short story or comic strip featuring their characters.
  • Focus on team strengths and weaknesses by having the group create a collective superhero team.

Running it online or hybrid

Use digital whiteboarding tools like Miro or Mural for character drawing and sharing. Facilitate feedback sessions via video conferencing.

What it produces

Drawings and descriptions of superhero, sidekick, and nemesis characters representing individual strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.

Origin

Adapted from Transition Makers Toolbox — source

Build a session around The Superhero in Me

METODIC places The Superhero in Me inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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