The Ladder

1. Gather your group around a step ladder (3 metres) lying on the ground.
2. Challenge your group to invite and support every person to climb up the ladder on one side, step over the top and then climb down the other side while it is held tightly by the rest of the group.
3. Encourage your group to consider how they can manage this task as safely as possible.
4. At a minimum, instruct your group to adhere to these two safety measures:
   -Position at least four feet against the base of the ladder’s feet to prevent them from slipping; and
   – All participants not holding the ladder must be a spotter focusing on the climber at all times.
5. Allow ample time for your group to complete the task.
6. In conclusion, and guided by your facilitation, invite your group to reflect on their experience.

This group initiative was invented moments after I realised I could not access the low and high challenge ropes course (as I had expected.) My group needed to be challenged, and a ladder just happened to be lying there.

Which is your first clue. You need to grab a step ladder. It must be sturdy and preferably stand about 3 to 4 metres (10-13′) tall. The aluminium type works great.

For good effect, I like to stand before my group, holding the ladder upright off to one side. Then, my instruction is brief and very clear. To challenge every person to climb up the ladder on one side, step over the top and then climb down the other side while it is being held tightly by the rest of the group.

I guarantee you will have everyone’s attention now if you didn’t have it before.

Unlike most adventure-based programs where the ladders are usually leaned against something solid to allow the participants to ascend to a higher point, the only ‘things’ keeping the ladder upright this time are the participants.

To this end, you must conduct a series of carefully sequenced exercises to develop the spotting skills of your group – in advance. If this concept is new to you, take a look at this page for more information.

When ready, I like to, first, invite my group to think about how they can hold the ladder to keep it upright at all times all the while supporting the climber going up, over the top and back down. Most groups quickly work out what they must do.

But, in my experience, two critical non-negotiable safety measures must be present to complete this task effectively:

1. Position at least four (human) feet – preferably more – wedged up against the base of the ladder’s feet to prevent them from slipping; and
2. All participants not holding the ladder must be a spotter, eg keep their eyes on the climber with arms raised (as if catching) them at all times.

For most people, climbing up and down the ladder is the (relatively) easy part. The most difficult task is to step over the top of the ladder from one side to the other. Why? Because negotiating this switch places all of the weight of the participant at the highest point of the ladder and, therefore, makes them most vulnerable to falling.

This is not to downplay the emotional challenge of choosing (or not choosing) to undertake this task. Statistically, this exercise is significantly ‘safer’ than society’s use of ladders in general because so many more people will be holding the ladder.

Please digest the content shared in the Leadership Tips tab to frame this experience appropriately.

And be sure to allow ample time for your group to reflect on their experience completing this task. There can be so many wonderful moments embedded in this experience, it would be a crime not to invite some serious sharing and feelings to be expressed at the end.

This activity has truck loads of actual and perceived risk. To mitigate the actual risks of causing harm during this activity, be sure to have prepared your group by practising a carefully sequenced series of spotting skills in advance. Do NOT be lazy and present this exercise without adequate preparation – you will set your group up for failure, not to mention the threat of serious injury.

Consider the risk versus reward sliding scale. You know, the higher the risks, the higher the rewards flow from success.

I have successfully led this activity with a group of only 8 people. This is not my minimum recommendation but rather a reflection of my confidence in the spotting skills of this particular group of people. You must judge the appropriateness of this challenging task with the skills and abilities of your group.

One of the most powerful ways I frame this experience is to require that everyone address the group and seek their support for whatever decision they choose to make, ie before their attempt. That is, each person is invited to face their group and say something to the effect of “I choose to (or choose not to) do this activity, do I have your support?” Powerful stuff to say “No” in the face of a group “Yes” – a skill that can be transferred to many other areas of one’s life.

In my experience, resist the temptation of your group to lean the ladder at a slight angle to (presumably) help the participant climb on one side. Anything other than a perfectly vertical ladder will cause enormous pressure on the ladder holders.

Every group and program is different, but I do not recommend introducing this exercise as a timed event. The challenge is too valuable to be overshadowed by haste.

You may wish to step in as an extra spotter from time to time. If you feel this may be useful, be sure to serve in this role for all participants, rather than those who you think “may need it more” otherwise, you may send an inadvertent signal to the group and/or participant.

You could integrate The Ladder as part of a well-designed SEL program to help your group make caring and constructive choices about personal behaviour and social interactions across different situations.

Specifically, this activity offers ample opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Identifying Emotions
• Linking Feelings, Values & Thoughts
• Recognising Strengths, Prejudices & Biases
• Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
• Experiencing Self-Efficacy
• Having A Growth Mindset

Self-Management

• Controlling One’s Emotions
• Identifying & Managing Stress
• Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
• Setting Personal & Group Goals
• Taking Initiative
• Use Planning & Organisational Skills

Social Awareness

• Taking Other’s Perspectives
• Demonstrating Empathy & Compassion
• Understanding & Expressing Gratitude
• Recognising Strengths In Others
• Respecting Others

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively
• Seeking and/or Offering Support
• Build Positive Relationships
• Work Collaboratively
• Showing Leadership
• Resolving Conflict Constructively

Responsible Decision-Making

• Demonstrating Curiosity & Open-Mindedness
• Identifying Problems
• Making Reasoned Judgements
• Identifying Solutions
• Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
• Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

Emotional Intelligence & Safety

It doesn’t take much to appreciate this group initiative’s array of actual and perceived risks. To this end, this task is ideal for helping your group to discuss and explore the many dimensions of safety, ie not just physical safety. There are ample opportunities to discuss the many and varied emotional and mental challenges of this activity. Be sure to invite your group to reflect on what helps create and sustain a ‘safe’ space to work and play using powerful examples from their direct and concrete experiences. This may lead to a conversation about emotional intelligence and how these skills can be developed and applied to help their group succeed.

• Start Small: Present your group with a smaller ladder, eg 2 metres (7′) or lower to complete the task.
• Belayed Climb: If physical safety concerns you, hook each climber in a harness and belay system to complete their traverse.

Research across many building industries indicates that some of the most common injuries occur to people when they use a ladder. Interestingly, most people hurt themselves while still holding onto the ladder, so the issue often has more to do with the sturdiness of the ladder (or what it was leaning against) than the climbing technique used by the person…

This next task is possibly one of the most challenging problems your group will need to solve today. It will likely challenge you across all three dimensions – physical, emotional and mental. I have witnessed your group demonstrate high safety consciousness throughout the earlier spotting skills exercises. Now, I think you are ready for the ultimate challenge…

Coupled with one or more reflection strategies, here are some sample questions you could use to process your group’s experience after playing this challenging group initiative:

• Why did you choose – or not choose – to climb?
• What helped you make a comfortable decision?
• What aspect of this group initiative was the most challenging or difficult? Why?
• Trust is clearly a pivotal element of this activity. A trust in whom?
• How do you feel now that your group has completed the task?
• Has anything shifted for you as a group? Please elaborate.
• How might you transfer a lesson from this task to everyday life?