3.1 Complexities of Strength

Skill Level

Intermediate, Advanced

Learner Outcomes

Reflect on our strengths.
Develop understanding that our strengths are often related to our weaknesses.
Learn an important aspect of positive youth development.

Life Skills

Decision making, critical thinking, communications, social skills, concern for others, empathy, sharing, self-motivation, self-esteem, self-responsibility, managing feelings

Time

10-20 minutes or longer depending how much processing you do

Materials

Cards displaying a strength on one side and a corresponding perceived weakness on the other
•These can be made out of paper; see example Cards of Strength template (you can print the card template on card stock and fold them).
•These can be made using small post-it notes. Write the strength on one side and a corresponding weakness on the other.
Markers (if having youth create their own cards)

Space

Indoor or outdoor activity, room for people to move around

Introduction

In this activity, we hope to get the group thinking about how our strengths show up with, and can be related to our weaknesses, they are two sides of the same coin—and trying to tamp one down will always impact the other. In addition, this can offer a helpful reflection on the ways in which adults often view the same quality negatively in a young person and positively in an adult. For example, teenage youth may be described as difficult or stubborn, whereas that same quality in adults is perceived as persistence. This is a foundation in positive youth development and an important concept for young people to understand —their “stubbornness,” or ability to persevere, can be used to positively impact our food system.

Before the Activity

Read through the Cards of Strength template to decide which could be appropriate for your group. Feel free to make new ones and have youth create their own if appropriate. Have the cards filled out with the strengths/weaknesses listed below. Tape the cards up on the wall or display on a table with the strength showing.

Activity

Opening Questions

Choose questions suitable for the group, if appropriate pose the question to set the tone and do not seek an answer.

What words would someone use to describe you? What words would you use to describe yourself?

Experience

Ask youth to view the cards with strength side up. Have them choose one to three strengths that best fit them. Have them take the card(s) they choose.
Have youth gather in a circle and go around the circle and introduce themselves including their strength. Example: “My name is Lori, and I’m Enthusiastic.”
Next have the participants flip their cards over and go around again quickly introducing themselves again and including their weakness. Example: “My name is Lori, and I’m Loud.” There is usually a noticeable difference in how people feel after the second introductions.

Reflection Questions (choose one or a few that work best for your group)

How did it feel to introduce yourself the first time? How was it different the second time?
Are the two different descriptions related? What was important about what you just experienced?
How do other people usually see you? How would you like other people to see you? What have you experienced in your interactions with adults?
Give an example of when a strength has helped you.

Variations

Ask participants to find a card that best fits them. Let them know that if they don’t find one that fits to create one of their own. Ask them to mill around and find one other person with whom to share their card, including the flip side. As part of the sharing, have them give examples of the strength in their life and how it fits with the weakness. After they have shared with one other person, have them find another partner and repeat the activity. Re-convene to a larger group and continue with reflection questions.