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The methodology of outbound training for corporate businesses operates on adult learning principles (Andragogy) in order to enhance individual and team performances. According to Andragogy, adults learn experientially. In other words, adults learn by experiencing the concepts. When done effectively, outbound training provides learning that can be effortlessly extrapolated in the work environment.

The essence of outbound training activities lies in taking participants to a natural terrain where they are given challenges, which they have to solve collectively as a team with limited resources. The unpredictable temperament of nature, finite resources and forced team collaboration pose tremendous opportunity for learning. The participants realize the need to get out of their comfort zone and explore unexplored paths to solve these challenges. An experienced trainer can aid the participants to transfer this learning to workplace situations.

‘Stretch your limit’ is one such activity in an outbound training workshop that leaves participants introspecting. One member of each competing team has to place a small, flat, object beyond the line drawn on the floor. The team that is able to place the object to the farthest distance from the line wins the challenge. The rest of the team members can support the person who is chosen by the team to place the object. However, while the person is stretching, no materials like belts, ropes and cloth can be used and no part of his/her body can touch the floor beyond the line. The winning team is the one that has the most effective strategy to support the person placing the object so he/she is able to place it at the farthest spot. The environment of competition between the teams build immense tension causing great strain on the collaboration within the teams. The teams are given multiple attempts to do the activity. Between every attempt, the team re-strategizes based on lessons learned to improve performance. It is always uplifting to see teams continue to improve at every attempt until they reach the plateau caused by their exhausted physical bodies.

There are some powerful lessons that participants take home through this activity. Apart from the obvious, in terms of team work and coordination, the participants also benefit in the these areas:

1. Team Communication

Learning from the Activity:

• Did the person, who is stretching to place the object, inform the rest of the team members where he/she requires more support?
• Is this person communicating his/her tolerance for pain? This is important because the group will be disqualified if the person touches the ground because he/she is unable to bear the level of pain.

Learning that can be transferred to the Workplace:

• When you are required to stretch to achieve team objectives, do you ask for support from your team members?
• How effective are you in saying ‘No’ when you have reached your level of tolerance? When your workload is more than you can handle, it affects not only your productivity but also that of your team.

2. Motivation

Learning from the Activity:

• When the person was reaching his/her maximum level of pain tolerance, did the team members motivate him/her?
• Were the team members primarily concerned about winning or did they display the same amount of anxiety for the well-being of the person who is stretching for the team?

Learning that can be transferred to the Workplace:

• Do you motivate your colleagues when they are taking on an extra load for the benefit of the team?
• As a manager, are you as equally concerned about targets as you are about the well-being of your team members?

3. The Second Wind

Learning from the Activity:

• During the initial attempts did the person, who was stretching, feel that they had already reached the maximum distance and, yet, when they saw another team doing better, were they able to stretch even further?

Learning that can be transferred to the Workplace:

• Does the performance of your colleagues or your competitors move you out of your comfort zone and push you to levels that you never thought was possible?
• After regularly moving out of your comfort zone, have you increased your potential?

A well-designed Outbound Training program ensures that participants find the experience and learning memorable and lasting. Such learning provides the impetus for participants to apply it to all aspects of their life.

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Ihab Salloum