Exercises and Activities

II. Human Values Continuum

Purpose: This activity gets participants physically involved in thinking about their responses to value statements and generates discussion among participants. This is a good way to introduce the cultural values framework (Hofstede, 1980). It is also a good way to gain a profile of the group. (note: be sensitive to participants who may not be physically able to move about the room, transferring this to an online game will work for everyone.)

Group size: 10 or more
Time required: 30 - 60 minutes

Materials: Cultural value statements prepared ahead of time.
Instructions:

• Explain to participants that you will read a series of statements. (This can also be done with posting area online.
• Ask them to move to the appropriate side of the room based on how they feel about the statement. Example: "Life is what happens to me. If you resonate with this statement, please move to the left side of the room. Life is what I make it. If you resonate more with this statement, please move to the right side of the room. You may find yourself somewhere in between."
• Multicultural Leadership Center (If the workshop is live at a central location) - Once people have moved to their positions, ask them to discuss their thoughts on these statements with their neighbor.
  Debrief as a group.
• Continue with the next pair of statements.
  (Generally, 4 - 5 pairs of statements are adequate)
  
  
  CONTINUUM STATEMENT Examples:
  1. Life is what happens to me. Life is what I make it.
  2. Competition brings out the best in me. Cooperation is the way to get
  things done.
  3. Change is good in most cases. I prefer to stick with tradition.
  4. People should "tell it like it is" even if it hurts. Feelings are more important
  than telling the absolute truth.
  5. Group membership is essential for my professional Group membership is not
  success. essential for my success.
  
  (developed by Dr. Darla K. Deardorff, Duke University, 2000)

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