■ Tool: The Hero's Journey DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT

Tool Overview: "The Hero's Journey Development Assessment" is a transformative tool designed for adults to identify and reflect on their personal and professional development journeys. Inspired by Joseph Campbell's monomyth concept of the hero's journey, this interactive workshop can accommodate up to 15-20 participants and typically takes 1.5 hours to complete. It guides individuals through a structured process of self-discovery and growth, helping them better understand their unique path and areas for development in relation to the network, organization or community.

Materials Needed:

• Large poster or whiteboard
• Markers
• The papers with each of the Hero's Journey step
• The Hero's Journey description 

STEPS:

1. Introduction (15 minutes):

• Welcome participants and explain the purpose of the workshop: self-assessment and personal development.
• Introduce the concept of the Hero's Journey and its relevance to individual growth.
• Emphasize the importance of embracing challenges and transformation in one's life and network-building journey.

2. Hero's Journey Overview (15 minutes):

• Present a visual representation of the Hero's Journey on a poster or whiteboard.
• Explain the stages (e.g., Call to Adventure, Trials, Transformation, Return) and their significance.
• Distribute templates of Hero's Journey (if you cannot provide them just ask participants to use white sheets of papers, a4 format)

3. Self-Reflection (30 minutes):

• Ask participants to reflect individually on their network's journey. If they are not a part of any network they can reflect on their own life, community or organisation. 
  IMPORTANT: We want to invite all the experiences HOWEVER Encourage the participants to not focus only on the negative parts or regrets they experienced! The tool serves to gain awareness and see your own (your network's) journey as a part of the archetypical journey connecting communities, traditions and cultures  
• Provide prompts and questions related to each stage of the Hero's Journey framework. We encourage you to ask around 3 questions about the chosen step. Too many points may take too long and make participants tired or bored. For example:
  • "Think about a moment when you felt a 'Call to Adventure' in your life. What was it, and how did you respond?"
  • "Describe a significant 'Trials' period in your life. How did it shape you?"
  • "Share an experience of 'Transformation' where you evolved as a person. What did you learn?"

• Encourage participants to jot down their thoughts and insights on their papers. 

4. Group Sharing (20 minutes):

• Invite participants to share their reflections in small groups (2-4 people).
• Encourage active listening and support among group members.
• (OPTIONAL) Each group can select one member to share a summarized version of their journey with the entire workshop.

5. Group Discussion (20 minutes):

• Lead a facilitated discussion with the entire group.
• Explore common themes, challenges, and growth opportunities that have emerged from the personal stories.
• You can write them down on the common big paper with the Hero's Journey steps.

6. TWO POSSIBLE NEXT STAGES:

a. Action Planning (15 minutes):

• Ask participants to identify specific areas for personal or professional development based on their reflections.
• Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for their ongoing journey.

b. Circle of Heroes (15 minutes)

• For this, you will need to prepare before the whole exercise the presentation of the Heroes Journey Cycle on the floor
• (7 minutes) Ask participants to have a moment with themselves and ask them to move around the room. Relaxing music is invited. Ask them to try to situate themselves at the specific stage of their development or journey within the network/organization/team. It is handy to provide the short versions of each step's explanation somewhere in the room, so they can go back to it and choose the most fitting stage. 
• when all have found their spot ask a few of the participants about their places. Why this stage? Was it easy to discover it? How do you feel here?
• Create a circle with everyone and kindly request to take a longer, mindful look at each of the participants. You may add that now each participant can thank himself/herself for being where she/he is and thank the group for being in the same Cycle of Heroes. Hold hands for a minute or two with or without closed eyes.

7. Closing and Reflection (10 minutes):

• Summarize the key takeaways from the workshop.
• Encourage participants to continue their development journeys, supporting each other as fellow heroes.
• Thank participants for their contributions and willingness to engage in this transformative experience.

Outcome: "The Hero's Journey Development Assessment" provides participants with a framework to identify their personal and professional development stages, challenges, and opportunities. It fosters self-awareness, goal-setting, and peer support, helping them embark on their ongoing journeys as heroes in their own lives.