Fears in a Hat

“Fears in a Hat” (Neil, 2004)

    

Directions:

Ask everyone, including the group leaders, to complete this sentence on a piece of paper (anonymously):

I am [most] afraid of…

Collect the pieces of paper, mix them around, then invite each person to a piece of paper and read about someone's fear.

One by one, each group member reads out the fear of another group member and elaborates and what he/she feels that person is most afraid of in this group/situation.  No one is to comment on what the person says, just listen and move on to the next person.

If the reader doesn't elaborate much on the fear, then ask them one or two questions.  Avoid implying or showing your opinion as to the fear being expressed, unless the person is disrespecting or completely misunderstanding someone's fear.  If the person doesn't elaborate after one or two questions, leave it and move on.

When all the fears have been read out and elaborated on, then discuss what people felt and noticed.

The activity can lead into other activities, such as developing a Full Group Contract, personal or team goal settings, course briefings that specifically tackle some of the issues raised, or into other activities in which participants explore their feelings and fears

Results:

This group fears:

• Marriage Failing
• Being Indigent
• Public Speaking

Conclusion:

Everyone in the group had an empathic understanding of each
other’s fears.   Discussion led to each person explaining why this was a fear and how they could relate to the team members concern. These are all things that most people are fearful of in life.  No one wants their marriage to fail, to be poor, or fumble while speaking to a group of people, especially in a professional or academic setting. 

 We are aware we share fears, particularly public speaking and we know to work to reassure each other and work together to ensure all group members are comfortable with the topics and presentations, in this class, since it is easier to speak about a familiar topic.