- Communication is the key to success with this team building exercise
Overview
The challenge is to take a length of rope and lay it out on the ground to make a perfect square. Throughout the task all team members must wear blindfolds.
Key themes: Communication, Trust and Team Work.
Participants: 4 – 50
Timing: 15 – 30 minutes
Prework and Equipment
– Check that the space you intend to use is safe i.e flat, free of furniture and glass etc.
– If the group size exceeds 12 consider running the activity with several teams at the same time.
– Provide a suitable length of rope 10 meters is ideal.
– Provide sufficient blind folds for all team members
Running the Activity
1. Give each participant a blindfold
2. Explain that this is a task that requires effective verbal communication
3. Position the participants in the area where the activity will take place
4. Ask them to lower their blind folds over their eyes and turn around until you say stop (allow them to
rotate a sufficient amount so that they become a little disorientated)
5. Silently lay the coiled rope within reach of one of the participants
6. Explain that you have positioned the rope on the floor and that on your command they must locate the
rope and work together to position the rope in the shape of a perfect square on the floor
7. During the exercise be prepared to intervene if a participant could hurt themselves
8. Allow the group to say when they have finished, if everyone is in agreement ask them to remove their
blindfolds
9. Congratulate success or ask them what they might do differently if there is still room for improvement
10. If required give the group a second opportunity to complete the challenge
Review and Conclusions
– Ask how it felt to be asked to carry out the task blind?
– Ask who were the leaders?
– Ask how each participant’s confidence felt at the beginning of the task?
– Expand on the above to identify what led to rises and dips in confidence.
Click on the link e to download the Blindfold Square Team Building Exercise instructions as a PDF.
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For more resources, see our Library topic Team Building.
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This blog is written by Fresh Tracks: Experts in running team building activities , team development programmes and conference organising.
Website: www.freshtracks.co.uk
We hope you enjoy using this team building task and that you find it helpful.
Carter McNamara of Authenticity Consulting, LLC, provides organizational development, consultant training and Action Learning services, and is developer of the Free Management Library.