OLP Self-worth

activity that focuses on cultivating the non-cognitive skill of self-worth.

Developing self-worth during OLP activities

Self-worth involves self-knowledge, awareness and self-assessment as these traits are directly related to the student’s physical and mental state. For the outdoor leadership student, self-worth is the anchoring trait that allows a student’s ability to become a self-actualized leader. This trait is critical to helping participants understand their perspective of failure versus success, challenge versus incompetence, group needs versus self-caring.  All of these aspects balancing and tempering actions, decisions and confidence of OLP participants. This activity is structured to create effective self-worth through self-awareness and a growth mindset. Without the meta-cognitive experience of knowing the self, other leadership skills will be undeveloped, eventually diminishing the leader’s credibility. This lesson is structured in a two parts: Steps towards understanding and points for discussion.

Steps Towards Understanding

Introduction to how self-awareness builds self-worth

Believing and acting as if you are the most valuable person is a slippery slope.

As the central trait of the seven leadership matrix presented by NOLS, self-awareness presents itself as the starting point to gain better self-worth resiliency. Understanding and being comfortable with personal strengths and weaknesses is a difficult task for many teenagers and adults.  Yet, the introduction of the topic and techniques for achievement can speed up the process to eventual self-actualization. The non-cognitive trait of self-worth does not have its own OLP activity as it is a constant trip companion that should be fully mentioned, debriefed and practiced with every activity. The information, links and additional materials below may be organized or omitted for the best results depending on the needs of the teacher.

Questions for Discussion

Saying, ‘I know what to do,’ takes knowing you have value in the group.

What does your inner voice say? Can you describe what tone or emotions your self-talk general takes, is it positive or negative?

Video Link to: What is self-confidence

Is self-worth or self-confidence a skill? How does the Dr. Joseph present this trait and how is it developed?

At 4:30min Dr. Joseph describes self-talk, why do you think you have negative self talk?

Write a letter to yourself describing the good qualities and attributes, both physical and metal, that you possess.

Video link to: Fitting in cardboard

Questions for Discussion

Self-identification of self-worth strengths and weakness outdoor leadership journal assignment

Self-worth maintenance is like swimming, you have to believe you can float.

What does silence say, when allowed to speak? 30 min silent, unmoving meditation.

Video link to: Introduction to meditation 

How does body language affects your self-worth, self-confidence and how people perceive you?

Video Link to: Your body language shapes who you are

Power poses!  grab a partner and begin to work through power poses present by Dr. Cuddy.

Link to: Rosenberg self-esteem scale

Write a couple of paragraphs in your journal discussing the results of your self-esteem test. What do you think is worrisome? What do you think important about self-worth?

Steps Towards Understanding

Development of meta-cognitive process for self-worth

If every participant can say, ‘I belong here,’ then there is a highly functioning group.

Does what you think about yourself match what others think of you?

On sticky notes write two or three statements that you believe others or ‘the group’ perceives about you. Think of traits, stereotypes both negative and positive. Put these up on the white board

On Sticky notes write out two or three statements about each member of the group. Think about what they add to the group, to you individually or to the school. Have students put these up on the white board.

When everyone finishes, go up to board and take a sticky note down that represents you.  Pick what applies, but not just the negative.

Now for trust. Find someone who you have yet to speak to in class and show them the sticky note and explain to them why you selected it and how it represents you. Ask them if the note is right or not.


“Whether you are leading a group or going about your daily life, you need to be conscious. You need to be aware of what is happening and how things happen. If you are aware of what is happening and how things happen, you can act accordingly. You can stew clear of trouble, and be both vital and effective…Consciousness or awareness…is the source of your ability.”
~ John Heider
The Tao of Leadership

Click here to download the self-worth lesson plan PDF