Pick a Picture for How You Are
This visual check-in invites participants to select an image that represents their current mood or situation, fostering a personal and engaging start to any session. It encourages openness and helps create a psychologically safe environment.
Use this method at the beginning of a workshop, meeting, or coaching session to quickly gauge the emotional state of the participants and encourage them to be present and engaged.
Solves: Difficulty in quickly establishing rapport and understanding the emotional climate of the group, leading to disengagement or miscommunication.
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Step 1: Prepare a selection of 20-60 diverse images (postcards, online card decks). (5 minutes)
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Step 2: Spread the images physically or share the online link. (2 minutes)
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Step 3: Ask a check-in question like, "How are you feeling today?" or "What's on your mind?". (1 minute)
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Step 4: Give participants time to individually reflect and select an image that resonates with them. (5-10 minutes)
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Step 5: Invite each participant to share their chosen image and explain why it represents their answer to the check-in question. Encourage them to nominate the next speaker. (5-10 minutes)
- Encourage participants to be open and honest, but respect their comfort level.
- Be mindful of the images you select, ensuring they are appropriate and inclusive.
- Use different categories of images (e.g., animals, landscapes, abstract art).
- Ask participants to select two images: one representing their current state and another representing their desired state.