Activity Overview

A brief hike is used as a metaphor for leaders with flexibility and an adventuresome spirit. Hikers (participants) carry backpacks full of typical items needed for such a walk and relate them to specific leadership competencies.

Objectives

• To identify one’s keenness to be flexible, adventuresome, and interested in trying something new.
• To confirm that taking the initiative is a crucial trait possessed by all effective leaders.

Training Methods

• Movement
• Discussion

Equipment Needed

• Backpacks or travel bags
• Water bottles 
• Day backpacks
• Blankies or Seating mats
• Food
• Hiking boots
• Maps
• Binoculars
• Compass
• Outdoor hats 

Room Set-up

Choose an outdoor area where you can take your participants on a 0-minute  walk and then sit for the discussion.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Tell participants that the leaders need to exhibit an adventuresome spirit. They must be supple, innovative and take appropriate risks, so their followers can learn from them.
2. Explain that you are going on an adventure outdoor activity and gather participants around with bags full of supplies for the upcoming walk. Take out the supplies and assign different people to carry them as you build up excitement. Instruct them to get their coats and prepare for an adventure. Ask each one to pick a walking partner.
3. As you lead them to your destination, ask the walking partners to chat with one another about a time they embarked on a great travel or hiking adventure, particularly one that was different from what they would normally do or different from where they usually travel or hike.
4. When everyone arrives at the destination, spread out the blankets or seating mats, get out the snacks and water bottles, and make everyone comfortable. Together, discuss each other’s personal adventures, asking questions such as the following:
    – Do you especially remember how your earlier adventure made you feel?
    – What did you learn after taking these adventures?
    – Tell about a time in your work when you made a radical departure from the way you usually do things—a time when you were adventuresome.
    – What are the common components found in these stories?
    – In the adventure we just shared, how did the element of suspense about where we were going affected you?
    – What do binoculars have to do with a work adventure?
    – What are the important supplies we should have on hand as we plan an adventure?
5. Relate the discussion you’ve just had to lead. Tell participants that research shows that effective leaders are adventuresome in spirit and are willing to go in new directions. They experiment, take risks, and challenge systems to create new products, processes, and services. These leaders learn from the inevitable mistakes that occur when risks are taken. Say:
   “Leaders differ from managers when they face change and risks. Effective leaders evaluate their propensity toward taking risks, analyze whether the risks they have taken in the past were appropriate, and know that the ability to take measured risks is a leadership skill. Leaders are willing to take those risks once they are fully prepared for the consequences.”
6. Bring the session to a close by asking participants: what have you learned that can be applied to your role as a leader?

Activity Review

Take time shortly after conducting this activity to reflect on how it went, how engaged the participants were, and what questions they raised. Then, make notes that include how much time you actually spent on the activity.