The Arctic Challenge
The objective of The Arctic Challenge is to practice communication, collaboration, problem solving, and trust building. This activity needs each group to leave their comfort zone.
Gather the materials needed for this problem solving activity, such as building blocks, chairs, blindfolds, and sheets.
Instruct groups to imagine that they are stranded in the Arctic. The objective is to elect a leader to build a shelter to survive.
The team leader has suffered from frostbite and therefore is unable to build the shelter. The other team members have been blinded by the snow and are wearing blindfolds.
The team leader must give verbal instructions to their blind team members on how to build the shelter.
Allow the group to say when they have finished; if everyone is in agreement ask them to remove their blindfolds.
Momento of Reflection
- Ask how it felt to lead in this exercise
- Explore what aspect of the exercise put each of the leaders under pressure
- Ask how it felt to be led
- What leadership lessons can be drawn from this exercise?
- Ask them what they might do differently if they were to repeat the exercise
The topics of this publication: interactions, strategy, collaboration, leadership, teamwork, trust, adaptation
