Activity 11
The Personal Story Challenge
10–15 minutesCreativity & storytellingCommunicationSkill practicePairsIn personVirtualHybrid
What is this activity?
Practise making ideas relatable through a short personal story.
Preparation
Provide a prompt asking for a relevant personal experience.
How to run it
- 1Give participants time to choose a story.
- 2Tell it to a partner.
- 3Ask the partner which details felt relatable or memorable.
- 4Refine and retell the story.
Example in Action
You're teaching people how to build rapport, be more authentic, let their guard down or show vulnerability. Ask participants to recall a personal experience that connects to their work, such as helping a family member solve a problem or learning something from a mistake. They tell the story to a partner, who identifies which details made it relatable. Participants then retell a shorter, more engaging version.
Make it your own
Adapt the topic, scenario or materials to suit your audience.
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