Strengths Speed-Dating Activity

Overview: Students rotate through quick, one-on-one conversations to share personal strengths and brainstorm how those strengths can translate into workplace skills.

Time: 15 minutes

Materials:

• Printed copies of the Strengths Speed-Dating sheet (one per student)
• Timer or stopwatch

Prep (5 minutes):

• Print one Speed-Dating sheet per student
• Arrange chairs in two concentric circles facing each other
• Cue a timer for 1-minute intervals

Instructions

1. Arrange Partners
   

   • Have students sit in two circles (inner & outer), so each student faces a partner.

2. Explain the Activity
   

   • Each pair will have 1 minute to discuss:
     • One personal strength (e.g., creativity, empathy, organization)
     • How that strength could apply to a job or school project
   • Students record their partner’s responses on the sheet.

3. Conduct Rounds
   

   • Start the 1-minute timer. Students share and fill out Row 1 of their sheet.
   • When time’s up, the inner circle shifts one seat to the right.
   • Repeat for 4–5 rounds (or until timer signals end).

4. Debrief (5 minutes)
   

   • Bring the class back together.
   • Invite volunteers to share an interesting strength they heard and a potential job application.
   • Highlight how many different strengths can lead to varied career paths.

Strengths Speed-Dating Sheet

Fill out each row with your partner’s name, the strength they share, and how it can apply to a job or career.

Feel free to sketch or jot quick notes if a partner gives an example that sparks an idea!

My Power Profile Journal

Use this journal to explore your unique strengths and envision how they can shape your future career. Take your time and be honest in your reflections.

1. My Top Three Strengths

List three personal strengths you discovered during our lesson. Be as specific as you can.

1. _______________________________
   
   
   
2. _______________________________
   
   
   
3. _______________________________
   
   
   

2. Strength in Action

For each strength above, describe a moment when you used it effectively. What was the situation, and what impact did your strength have?

Strength 1: _________________________

Strength 2: _________________________

Strength 3: _________________________

3. From Strength to Skill

Choose one of your strengths and explain how it translates into a real workplace skill. Include at least one specific job or career where this skill is valued.

4. A Strength to Grow

Identify one strength you’d like to develop even more. Why is it important, and what steps will you take to strengthen it?

5. Crafting My Superpower Statement

Write a one- or two-sentence professional summary that highlights your strongest strength as your “superpower.” Think of this like an elevator pitch.

6. Vision of My Dream Job

Imagine your ideal job or career. Describe how your top strengths will help you succeed in that role and what your daily work might look like.

7. Weekly Action Plan

Set one concrete goal for this week to use one of your strengths in school or your community. Include when, where, and how you will do it.

Keep this journal for future career conversations and revisit it as you grow. Remember: your superpower is unique—own it and let it shine!

Superpower Shout-Out Cool-Down

Time: 10 minutes
Materials: “Superpower mic” (any small object that can be passed easily)

1. Set the Stage (1 minute)

• Ask students to clear their desks and form a circle of chairs.
• Explain that this final activity is all about celebrating one another’s strengths.

2. Explain the “Mic” Rules (1 minute)

• Only the student holding the “superpower mic” may speak.
• When you have the mic, call out a classmate’s name and the specific strength you admired in them today.
• Be positive and brief—one shout-out per turn.

3. Pass the Mic & Give Shout-Outs (7 minutes)

1. Teacher holds the mic first and models a shout-out:
   • “I noticed how Taylor led her partner during our Speed-Dating and showed real leadership!”
2. Teacher passes the mic to the right.
3. Each student, upon receiving the mic, names one peer and one strength they saw.
4. Continue passing until every student has had a turn and every strength has been celebrated.

Sample Starters

• “I loved how [Name] used their [strength] when…”
• “One superpower I saw today was [strength] from [Name] because…”

4. Wrap-Up & Reflection (1 minute)

• Highlight two or three strengths that came up most often.
• Encourage students to add these peer-observed strengths to their My Power Profile Journal.
• Close by reminding everyone: “Your unique superpower is valuable—own it and share it!”