From Assembly to LEGO Mastery: How to Help Students Embrace Leadership

Imagine a room buzzing with excitement as our student leaders took the stage to lead a grade-level assembly, showcasing their remarkable talents and leadership skills. While there were areas for improvement—because let’s face it, no gathering is ever perfect—the overall performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

Reflecting on the Experience

After the assembly, we gathered to reflect on the experience. Their comments seemed to be a hazy view of the actual event. I can see where they are coming from: Leading in front of peers can be daunting, and it’s easy to let self-doubt creep in and cloud your judgment. To build on this achievement, we engaged in a fun and challenging LEGO building activity:

The Activity

Group Competition: Students were divided into teams, each competing to build a LEGO structure. This setup encouraged a healthy competitive spirit and required students to strategize and collaborate effectively.

Communication Challenge: Only one student in each group could see the schematic and had to describe it to their teammates (without participating in the building process). This twist added an extra layer of complexity, emphasizing the importance of clear and precise communication.

Teamwork and Strategy: Teams had to rely on clear communication, active listening, and effective teamwork to complete the challenge. This activity highlighted the necessity of working together and trusting each other’s abilities.

The Outcome

Enhanced Leadership: Students practiced leading their peers through complex tasks, reinforcing their leadership skills in a practical setting.

Improved Communication: The activity underscored the importance of clear and precise communication. Students learned to articulate their thoughts effectively and listen actively to their teammates.

Stronger Connections: Working together in a fun, interactive way strengthened their bonds and built a sense of community. The shared experience fostered mutual respect and understanding among the students.

Reflecting on the LEGO Challenge

After the LEGO building challenge, we took time to reflect on the experience. Students shared their thoughts on what worked well and what could be improved. Then I asked them to rate me on how well I led the activity—most of their responses had the word ‘boom’ in them, which is apparently the word of the moment. They thought I did amazing, but in reality, things did not go exactly as I had planned, and I could clearly see areas of improvement—often it’s the same for students.

By combining real-world leadership experiences with interactive activities, we create a dynamic environment where students can grow and thrive. This approach not only enhances their leadership and teamwork skills but also builds a supportive and connected community.

Conclusion

Empowering student leaders through interactive and hands-on activities is a cornerstone of our leadership philosophy. By focusing on connection and authenticity, we create a supportive environment where students can develop the skills they need to lead effectively and make a positive impact on their community.

#StudentLeadership #Teamwork #InteractiveLearning #LEGOChallenge #CommunicationSkills #CommunityBuilding #GrowthMindset

Generative AI was a thought partner in the writing of this Blog Post.