Leadership can be an adventure and having adventures can facilitate leadership, but are the two connected in some cosmic bond, where one cannot exists without the other? No. The reality is that learning about leadership, and improving leadership in your organization does not need to come from climbing a 50-foot tower. The link between adventure and leadership development has been strengthened over time in the same way that the relationship between a clay pot and a flower have strengthened. The clay pot keeps the flower safe from bugs, moles, being trampled, and so on. However, while the pot did keep the flower safe, it is important for the flower to take advantage of those opportunities, so when the flower goes back into the garden he/she will thrive (I got a little carried away there).
All groups have struggles and challenges. It is human nature to feel passionate about group conflict (and even personally identify with sides). Fortunately, groups tend to function in the same way in most cases. This is where adventure/ the clay pot become useful tools.
For example: If an organization has a difficult time communicating in a professional environment, that same group will also have a difficult time communicating as they work through an adventure based activity. Often when organizations meets to discuss similar issues, the conversation quickly evolves from “We seem to be having some difficulties in the office with communication” to “Carl is the worst person on the planet, AND he’s bad with email”.
Simply by moving the group and giving them a task that “doesn’t matter in the real world” a facilitator can sit back and watch the group dynamics take place, even process underlying issues with the organization without threatening anyone, and hopefully evoking change. The critical difference in the adventure scenario is that the obscure activity is like the clay pot, safe. The group however is like the flower, and it is the facilitator’s job to make sure that when the group goes back to the garden they have the tools to fight off bugs, and moles.
All that being said, does your organization need to use some adventure activity to make change? No.
Are adventure based activities one of the many methods consultants use to help your organization function better? Absolutely.
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