Let's Be Flexible! Activity

Welcome to the "Let's Be Flexible!" activity. In this session, you'll work in small groups to practice making decisions together while using flexible communication skills. Follow the guidelines below and have fun exploring how flexibility can improve group decision-making.

Activity Overview

In this activity, each group will be given a scenario that requires a team decision. The challenges are designed to encourage you to listen to each other, adjust your ideas as needed, and come to a consensus that benefits everyone. This will help you apply strategies from the Flexible Communication slide deck and insights from the Interactive Flexibility Practice lesson plan.

Steps & Guidelines

1. Preparation (5 minutes)

• Gather in your small groups and ensure everyone is clear on your roles and responsibilities.
• Think about communication strategies: active listening, asking questions for clarity, and being open to new ideas.

2. Scenario Challenge (15 minutes)

• Your group will receive a scenario challenge that requires a collective decision. (For example, planning a class party with varying ideas.)
• Discuss within your group, using the communication tips from the lesson:
  • Listen actively: Make sure everyone’s ideas are heard.
  • Ask clarifying questions: If a point is unclear, ask for more details.
  • Be flexible: Adapt your opinions as new ideas emerge.

3. Decision Making (20 minutes)

• Work together to decide on the best course of action that addresses all aspects of the scenario.
• Ensure every team member is on board with the final decision.
• If disagreements arise, refer back to the discussion tips:
  • Respectful language
  • Collaborative problem solving

4. Group Reflection (10 minutes)

• Each group will have a chance to share their process and final decision with the entire class.
• Reflect on what flexible communication strategies worked and what challenges you faced while making a group decision.
• Consider how these skills can be used in everyday situations.

Follow-Up Questions for Discussion

• What was the toughest part of making a group decision in your scenario?
• Which flexible communication strategy was most useful?
• How did you adjust your ideas during the discussion?
• Can you think of a time outside of school when being flexible in your decisions was important?

Enjoy the activity and remember: flexibility in communication can help create great outcomes in any decision-making process!

For more resources, revisit the Interactive Flexibility Practice lesson plan and the Flexible Communication slide deck. Happy decision-making!

Communication Strategies Discussion

This discussion will help you explore various communication strategies that promote flexibility, particularly in a group setting. Use the following prompts and questions to guide your conversation and share your thoughts with your group.

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen Actively: When a classmate is speaking, listen carefully without interrupting. Write down or remember key points their making if needed.
  
  
  
• Be Respectful: Use kind and respectful language when responding. Respect differences in opinions and encourage each other to share more.
  
  
  
• Be Open to Ideas: Embrace new ideas that might differ from your own. Consider how different viewpoints can lead to better understanding and outcomes.
  
  
  
• Share Examples: Think of real-life situations where flexible communication helped solve a problem or made a discussion successful. Provide examples from school, sports, or home.
  
  
  

Discussion Prompts

1. What Does Flexibility in Communication Mean to You?

• Think about a time when you had to change your opinion after hearing someone else's idea. How did that make you feel?
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Strategies for Effective Group Decision-Making

• What are some strategies you can use to ensure everyone in a group has a chance to speak?
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Overcoming Communication Challenges

• Sometimes, disagreements happen. What are some ways you can keep the discussion friendly and productive even when opinions differ?
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Real-Life Examples of Flexibility in Communication

• Share an example from your life where being flexible in communication helped improve a situation. Why was flexibility important in that situation?
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. How Can These Strategies Help in Other Areas of Your Life?

• Think about how the communication strategies discussed here could help you in other scenarios, like during a team sport or while working on a class project.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Follow-Up Questions

• What new ideas did you hear from your classmates that you hadn’t thought of before?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Which communication strategy do you think could improve group work the most? Why?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How did listening to others change your perspective during this discussion?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Remember to take your time to reflect on these questions and share openly with your group. Flexibility in communication is key to successful teamwork and decision-making. Enjoy the conversation and learn from each other!

Group Reflection

After completing the activities for today, take a few minutes to reflect on your experiences with flexible communication and decision-making.

Personal Reflection

• What did you learn about being flexible when communicating with your group?
  
  
  
• How did you feel when you adapted your ideas based on someone else's input?
  
  
  

Group Sharing

• In your small group, take turns sharing one moment that stood out to you during the exercise.
  
  
  
• Discuss as a group how flexible communication helped you overcome challenges and make a decision that everyone agreed on.
  
  
  

Final Thoughts

Remember that flexibility in your ideas and communication not only helps in making decisions but also builds strong teamwork skills. Use these reflections to think about how you can apply these skills in other areas of your life.

Enjoy your group reflection and thank you for your participation!