Emotional Intelligence Compass Activity
Overview
This activity helps students understand different teamwork styles and how those styles affect collaboration. Students reflect on their own working preferences and learn how different approaches can strengthen team outcomes.
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Emotional Intelligence Facilitation Deck
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Preparation
Before the workshop, the TA should:
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Review the Emotional Intelligence Compass Points activity instructions.
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Review the four Compass Point styles (North, South, East, West) and their characteristics.
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Be familiar with the discussion questions and activity flow so the discussion can be guided effectively.
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Note that students completed a PD on emotional intelligence before the activity. Encourage them to connect their Compass Point style with EI skills such as self-awareness and understanding others.
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Set up the room by creating four areas labeled North, South, East, and West.
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Prepare paper and a pen for the note-taker to record the group’s responses.
Slide 1 - Title Slide
Introduce the activity briefly. This activity is about Emotional Intelligence and teamwork styles. This activity helps to understand how different people approach group work and decision making.
Slide 2 - Agenda
Briefly explain the structure of the activity.
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Introduction to Compass Points
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Group Role Selection
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Discussion Questions
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Group Share-Out
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Key Takeaways
Slide 3 - Introduction to Compass Points
Explain the purpose of the exercise. The purpose of this activity is to explore how students approach teamwork. Each person has natural preferences in how they work with others. Understanding these differences helps teams collaborate more effectively.
Slide 4 - Compass Styles
Explain the four styles briefly.
North - Action oriented: likes to move quickly and try ideas.
East - Big picture thinker: enjoys ideas, possibilities, and future vision.
South - Relationship focused: cares about group harmony and making sure everyone feels heard.
West - Detail oriented: prefers structure, data, and understanding the full process before acting.
Ask students to choose the direction that best represents how they usually approach work.
Slide 5 - Group Role Selection
Once students move to their direction groups, ask them to choose roles.
Roles:
Presenter - shares group responses during the share-out.
Note-taker - writes down discussion ideas.
Special situations:
Ideal group size: 3-4 students
If a direction has more than 4 students, divide them into smaller groups.
If a group has 2 students, they can still complete the activity together and divide roles.
If only one student selects a direction, the student acts as both note-taker and presenter.
Slides 6-10 - Discussion Questions
Students discuss one question at a time within the direction. The note-taker records the group’s responses.
Allow about 1-1.5 minutes per question. Questions:
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Slide 6: What are the strengths of your style? (3 adjectives)
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Slide 7: What are the limitations of your style? (3 adjectives)
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Slide 8: What style do you find most difficult to work with and why?
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Slide 9: What do people from other styles need to understand about you to collaborate effectively?
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Slide 10: What is one thing you value about each of the other three styles? TA Tip: Walk around the room and encourage discussion if groups are quiet.
Slide 11 - Group Discussion Overview
This slide shows all discussion questions together to help groups review their responses and complete the discussion. Students should finalize their answers before the group share-out.
Slide 12 - Group Share-Out
Each presenter shares highlights from their group based on the questions. Allow about 5-10 minutes total for sharing.
Slide 13 - Key Takeaways
Guide students to reflect on what they learned from the discussion. TA guidance:
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Ask groups what they noticed about the different styles.
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Highlight that each style has strengths and limitations.
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Emphasize that teams work better when different styles are understood and respected.
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Reinforce that awareness of how people think and work helps improve collaboration.