Article by Inova
Employability skills are vital so that you are successful in an ever-competitive labour market. Some key skills that employers seek when hiring employees are people with flexibility, those who have initiative and those who can undertake a variety of tasks in different settings.
What many don’t realise is that drama is the perfect solution to develop and prepare these skills as its activities subconsciously promotes them! Utilising drama exercises, creativity and coaching have been recognised as a fantastic and innovative new methodology in improving your employability success whilst providing a source of fun and entertainment. Here are three exercises that are great for enhancing your employability in creative and drama inspired ways!
Blind Walker
The first exercise is ‘Blind Walker’. You will need at least two players, and it is played in pairs: player one and player two.
Player one closes their eyes, and player two takes player one’s hands or shoulders to guide them through the room without opening their eyes. After some time, they may switch roles.
The purpose of this exercise is to develop self-confidence as a player one must let go of some control and rely on the other player to complete the task and to avoid any obstacles. This game also develops teamwork and leadership skills. During the exercise, trust plays a significant role to ensure that participants are confident in both themselves and the other player. A key aim of the exercise is to promote the idea that we can support each other during life when situations cannot be controlled.
This is not an umbrella
The second exercise is ‘This is not an umbrella’. Any number of people can play, but it is often more effective with more than one. To start the game, select a household item. The aim of the game is to suggest ways to use the item that is different from the item’s original function. For example, the umbrella may act as a long rolling pin or a baseball bat. Pass the item around the group and take it in turns to come up with alternative uses for the object. When you run out, then switch to a new item. By using the same item but in a different way to its traditional use triggers the curiosity and reward systems in the brain. Although this exercise may at first appear abstract, the idea encourages the players to expand their imagination, and adopt and accept new perspectives.
One Talker/ One Not
The third and final exercise is called ‘one talker/ one not’. The activity requires at least one pair. Each pair is tasked with creating a minute performance, where a small problem arises that can be solved. Person one is allowed to speak their lines, but person two can only use non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expressions and body language. Afterwards, the players swap roles so that person one is the non-verbal communicator.
So, what are you waiting for? Here are some excellent ways to develop important soft skills! Why not try finding a friend or family member and putting these examples into practice. Start building your employability skills today!
