8 Outdoor Activities That can Help Develop Leadership Skills Among Employees

According to Peter Landau of ProjectManager.com, “Leadership is not an academic pursuit.”

It is not an inborn talent, either. Leaders are thrown into a situation wherein they need to act fast and act now. Their success lies in their ability to unify a group of people to achieve a common goal.

That said, we have listed down eight outdoor activities that you can do to unleash the leader in you:

1. Pass the Hoop

Since a leader is not working in a vacuum, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of teamwork. And one activity that can help hone camaraderie among employees is Pass the Hoop.

To do this, you need to form a circle and hold hands. One of you will have a hula hoop in the arm, and everyone should pass it around.

Other than teamwork, Pass the Hoop also hones the employees’ communication and problem-solving skills. These skills are fundamental to become a successful leader.

2. Minefield

This activity aims to help a blindfolded colleague to maneuver a makeshift minefield using only specified communication techniques. Examples are left, right, forward, and backward.

Because of the nature of this activity, it is ideal for playing it outdoors — usually during a leadership training or company retreat.

This game also improves an employee’s communication skills, while fostering trust among colleagues. That’s because trust is what bonds a successful organization.

3. Shape-Shifting

This activity does not only hone the employees’ communication skills; it even reiterates its importance.

What you need is a long rope tied into a loop. It should be long and large enough that everyone can hold it with both hands while they stand in a circle.

Now, they will work together to form different shapes, and then they will put the formed rope on the floor.

You can level up this activity by asking the employees to form complex shapes like “chicken” or “tree.” And then, they need to communicate their tactics using hand gestures only. You can bring this up a notch by prohibiting hand gestures.

When done, discuss the importance of communication with everyone.

4. Ducks in a Row

Another essential skill that a leader must have is quick decision making. As mentioned before, a good leader must act now and must act fast.

This is where playing Ducks in a Row can help.

Pair up your employees and give them a scenario that will prompt them to devise a 3-to-5 step decision-making process. Let the pairs review their process after 30 minutes, and then discuss it with everyone to find a consensus.

5. Crocodile River

This outdoor activity has a somewhat complicated mechanics. However, the aim of the Crocodile River is for the group to provide physical support to one another. That way, they can successfully cross the make-believe, crocodile-filled river.

The wooden planks will serve as “magic stones” that only float when there is constant body contact. Moreover, there should be one less plank than the total number of participants.

The game ends when every team member successfully crosses the river.

6. Tallest Tower

Tallest Tower can help develop problem-solving skills and encourage collaboration among employees.

In this game, participants will make use of everyday items like toothpicks, uncooked pasta, wooden blocks, and so on. The aim is to create the tallest free-standing structure out of the given materials.

7. Chinese Puzzle

Also known as Human Knot, this simple game teaches employees how they can work together efficiently and effectively.

To do this, every employee must stand and form a circle. They will then close their eyes, stretch their hands in front, and hold the first two hands that they can grab.

Once done, they will have to open their eyes and then get back to the circle without letting go. Although they are allowed to change their grip.

Chinese Puzzle also teaches leadership, communication, problem-solving, and trust. Things that are essential to have active collaboration.

8. Make Your Movie

This is one activity that your company can conduct indoor or outdoor.

Group your employees by department or let them draw lots. And then ask your employees to create a 5 to a 7-minute movie. Let them unleash their creativity in this activity.

Other than that, it also encourages collaboration and coordination among employees.

Nourishing the Future Leaders in Your Company

It is a no-brainer that being a leader comes with a handful of responsibilities.

However, it also requires developing characteristics and honing the necessary skills. That’s because a leader will always have a lot on his plate.

That said, it is advisable to look for a partner who can help develop future leaders in your organization.

Quest Adventure Camp provides leadership training and seminar managed and conducted by our trained facilitators. Give us a call today to know how we can help build potential leaders in your company!