Leadership Challenge is an immersive training activity where each team nominates a leader. The leaders are briefed on a task and then brief their teams.
A Trainer recently gave us this feedback:
“On a Leadership Challenge session, I had four teams and four leaders. Most of the leaders rushed the briefing phase as they were desperate to get on with the task. But one of them took a long time reading the Brief before she returned to her team to explain the task. This meant she was confident and had all the facts at her fingertips.
As a result, she never had to go back to the briefing area to check any details.
When the other leaders were asked questions, they were shaky on details and had to return to the briefing area to get up to speed.
Within minutes they’d lost their teams’ trust. Credibility had vanished and they were not able to recover. It was a great lesson!”
What it looks like in the room
- Teams choose a leader.
Each team nominates a leader. How they choose is often a talking point itself.
- Leaders (only) study a Brief on the task.
Leaders study the briefing papers but can’t take them back to their teams. They can make their own notes (Often they don’t!). Time spent here is time saved later.
- Meanwhile, teams define what they think makes a good leader.
Later they measure these expectations with how their leader briefed them and managed the task.
- Leaders brief their teams.
The team task is to score as many points as possible by visiting places on a map. Leaders brief in their own style, then oversee the activity.
- When the task is complete - the debrief begins.
Who had the most points? Who had the best leader? What leadership style was most effective? Did the leader motivate and encourage their team? Were energy and morale levels kept high?
What Leadership Challenge highlights:
- the importance of briefing a team clearly, setting objectives and checking understanding
- how different leadership styles influence team morale and task outcomes
- the importance of giving teams a ‘vision’ of what success means
- the key qualities every leader needs to get things done efficiently
- the importance of credibility and the ability to manage people
The practical bits
- Timing: 2 hours plus debrief
- Group size: 3 to 24 participants
- Audience: All levels, so it works for new managers, emerging leaders or senior teams
- Format: Face-to-face. No computer or printer needed
- Includes: Trainer’s Notes, PowerPoint, Briefing notes, maps and handouts, with a five-year repeat-use licence
Don’t just take our word for it
“After a day of leadership theory, the Leadership Challenge game brought home the crucial points and added energy and fun to our awayday.”
Rachel Stone, Smith & Williamson LLP
“The participants were actively engaged and appreciated the hands-on learning experience.”
Sauood Sadiq, Head of Learning & Development, MCB Bank
Find out more here.
