One of the most iconic images of the ropes course is the confidence pole. You know, the telephone pole with the ladder nailed into the side. A climber gets to the top of it and has to make one last, big, awkward step to balance themselves on the top of the narrow pole. From that wobbly perch, the way down is by leaping out to grab a trapeze bar–a bar that seems uncomfortably out of reach.
The confidence pole challenges ones’ fear of heights and fear of falling. It requires trust in the equipment and the people that are there to keep you safe. During a ropes course teambuilding program, this is the very last activity that’s done after a full day of fun. It’s completely optional and typically less than fifty percent of the group members choose to complete it. Performing the task requires physical strength, balance and flexibility. It challenges ones fear of being vulnerable in front of others. So, what’s the point?
In a teambuilding setting, risk and challenge are not about the sole act of doing something scary or dangerous. It is about being bold when it matters. It’s designed to remind participants how liberating it is to walk through fear. There is an endless list of things in life to be afraid of and each of face our own personal challenges. We all develop different ways of coping with our fears but the reality is that fear doesn’t just go away. It has to be challenged. Fear is something that you have to walk through. Fear is always going to be present in our lives in some form but we don’t want it to control us to keep us from doing amazing things.
The cool thing about a ropes course setting is that participants have two sources of motivation to face their fear – doing it for their own sense of accomplishment and doing it to strengthen the team. When you face your fear in the presence of your team everyone benefits. First, the gets psyched and excited to see someone succeed. They develop a deeper respect for that person who has pushed them self. Then, they are encouraged to step out and face their own fear. It’s contagious! After you’ve all been through it, a bond forms from having that mutual experience. Everyone feels awesome!
One of the most memorable confident pole experiences I’ve had was with a small group in which the person who was the most visibly afraid of the activity was the most senior member of this business team. He was in really a tough spot–being completely vulnerable in front of his subordinates. Fortunately he came through with class, volunteering to go first. This strong, confident leader struggled through each step of the activity but completed it with the encouragement and support from his team. They group was so inspired by his success that every one of them followed his lead and stepped up to face the confidence pole. What a great day day it was for that team.
