Attendees remember the beginning and end of any presentation more than anything else. With that in mind, I utilized an activity called the Group Anthem by the host of Facilitating on Purpose by Beth Cougler Blom for my closing at a recent training of student affairs professionals at Macalester College. The energy in the room spoke to its success. The claps––the snaps––the awes––all of it reverberated in the room as folks shared pure gems of inspiration.
I asked participants to think back on their experience from the day––the goals they’ve set for the future, and what they’re leaving the session with. Then, I asked participants to write a closing statement beginning with one of the two-word statements:
I am.
I believe.
I will.
When anyone felt ready, they were to share it with the room without overthinking it.
One by one, participants shared their statement with the group––the start of an anthem began to form.
To set the stage, I went first. “I believe I am surrounded by a room full of incredibly talented people….,” I said.
Together, the statements produced the Division of Student Affairs at Macalester College Group Anthem….
I believe we can sharpen our strengths to better serve students.
I believe everyone has unique and important talents.
I will dive more deeply into strengths as I relate to our team in working with our students this semester.
I will continue to invest in my strengths.
I will learn more about my new strengths.
I believe greatness dwells in all of us so we have no choice but to be great.
I believe we have a group with a common goal of creating positive student experiences.
I will use the strengths of my team and myself to ground us in our work.
I will practice vulnerability and clarity.
I will challenge limits.
I will hang my strengths down in my office and make a commitment to using them each week.
I will lead with love.
I believe we all work as a team to support our students and empower them.
I believe we all have value.
I am strong with my team, and my team will be my strength.
I am grateful for the breadth and depth of strengths in our division and our team.
I believe that we will win.
I will be confident in myself.
I will create more opportunities teams strengths to shine.
I will share my strengths generously in the world.
I will recognize talents and help harness them into strengths.
I will help our team reach our goals.
I look forward to bringing this to others.
I will help our students see what they do not yet see.
I believe that we all have talent.
I will be creative to develop new processes.
I am an agent of progress.
The Macalester College Student Affairs Anthem is an inspirational message to anyone who invests their talents in students.
I am grateful to them for sharing their talents with me for the day.
Recent Comments