# First Impressions Participants exchange color-coded cards featuring communication and leadership attributes based on initial observations. Each person then reviews their received cards and compares outside impressions against their own self-perception. **Time:** 25 minutes. Source recommends 20 to 30 minutes; structured here at 25 minutes for groups up to 20. **People:** 8 to 20. Individual distribution while moving through the room, followed by solo reflection and whole-group discussion. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Compare peer perceptions of communication and leadership styles with personal self-perception using structured descriptive cards. **Use it when:** Use during leadership workshops or new group formation when members have had an initial interaction and want to examine how early behaviors read to others. **Skip it when:** Skip when group members are total strangers with zero prior interaction, or when the group contains unaddressed personal conflict where peer labeling could cause harm. ## Materials and tools - One set of 8 pre-printed word cards per person (2 cards per color style from the participant materials) - One envelope or small tray per participant to collect incoming cards - Timer ## Before participants arrive 1. Print and cut the word cards so each participant receives an identical starter deck of 8 distinct cards (2 blue, 2 yellow, 2 red, 2 green). 2. Place an envelope or tray labeled with each participant's name on perimeter tables or give it to them to hold. 3. Clear central floor space so people can walk around easily. ## Say this to open We form quick impressions whenever we encounter colleagues in action. Today we will look at how our communication styles land on others compared to how we view ourselves. You each have eight descriptive cards across four styles: analytical blue, expressive yellow, pragmatic red, and supportive green. Walk around, hand cards to individuals who have shown those traits to you, and collect cards given to you. You do not need to give a card to everyone, and you may keep any card you prefer not to distribute. ## How to run it ### 1. Introduce styles and frame task (4 minutes) Explain the four styles using the printable reference list. Distribute one deck of 8 cards and one labeled receiving envelope to each person. State clearly that every card carries a neutral or constructive style trait. An example: if someone noticed a colleague carefully questioning an agenda item earlier, they might give that person 'Methodical' or 'Logical'. ### 2. Distribute cards (8 minutes) Participants move around the space and place cards into colleagues' envelopes or hand them directly. Rule: participants distribute up to 8 cards across different peers. If someone receives multiple copies of the same card or runs out of cards, they continue circulating until time is called. Anyone who finishes early returns to their seat. ### 3. Review received cards privately (5 minutes) Call time. Participants return to their seats, open their envelopes, and sort their received cards by color style. Ask each person to note silently: Which color dominates? Which word feels accurate? Which word feels unexpected? Participants who prefer to keep their received cards private may keep them face down. ### 4. Debrief group observations (8 minutes) Facilitate a structured debrief. Invite 3 or 4 volunteers to share one word that surprised them or aligned with their self-perception. Close by discussing how initial impressions evolve as working relationships deepen. ## Debrief questions - Which received word or color best matched how you see your own working style? - Did anyone receive a card that surprised them, and what observable behavior might have prompted it? - How do initial impressions either help or mislead a team before people work together over longer periods? **Finished output:** Each participant holds a personal tally of descriptive cards showing how peers perceive their communication style. ## Remote Set up a shared digital whiteboard (such as Miro or Mural) with a grid where each participant has a named column. Pre-populate private trays with digital sticky notes matching the four color styles. During the 8-minute distribution step, participants drag and drop stickies into colleagues' columns. Participants then sort their own column during solo reflection and join video debrief. ## Hybrid Hybrid delivery splits the experience unless every participant works on the digital board. Have both in-person and remote participants post to the same digital board using laptops or phones, rather than mixing physical cards with digital notes. ## Access and participation choices - Participants with mobility limitations can remain seated with their labeled envelope on the table while others circulate to them. - Participants can pass on distributing cards or decline to read their cards aloud during debrief without giving an explanation. ## If the session gets stuck **Uneven card distribution leaves one participant with very few cards.** Remind the room halfway through to look around and seek out individuals whose envelopes have few cards. **A participant feels uncomfortable or misunderstood by a card they received.** Remind the group that cards reflect brief observations, not permanent character judgments. Allow the participant to discard or replace any card privately. ## Terms used here - Communication style: The typical way a person shares information, makes points, and interacts with colleagues. ## Participant material: Style Word Card Decks Blue (Analytical / Methodical): - Logical - Methodical - Structured - Thoughtful Yellow (Expressive / Visionary): - Creative - Optimistic - Spontaneous - Communicative Red (Directive / Pragmatic): - Decisive - Strategic - Efficient - Practical Green (Supportive / Collaborative): - Collaborative - Inclusive - Patient - Trustworthy ## Sources and adaptation Observed in the Participatory Methods catalog under the title First Impressions. Retained the 4-color communication style cards and the core card-distribution mechanic from the Participatory Methods entry. UWT added explicit card set limits (8 cards per person), exact step timings, labeled collection envelopes to reduce awkwardness, clear boundary rules on opting out, and a digital whiteboard protocol for remote settings. [Participatory Methods](https://participatorymethods.com/activities/first-impressions/) [Participatory Methods](https://participatorymethods.com/activities/first) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/first-impressions/