Planning, Leadership & Change

Leadership Challenge

Good leaders inspire and motivate - and they need to in this challenging activity. Teams first define what 'leadership' is before assessing their leader's performance over the course of this task.


How it works

In this tabletop simulation each team first chooses a leader. Each leader is given a £500 budget, a map and 20 minutes to familiarise themselves with the Brief. During this period the rest of the team completes a questionnaire about leadership qualities - for discussion later. Essentially teams must collect as many points as possible by visiting post offices and lighthouses - and beaches to get buckets of sand! Leaders, with their own, chosen style of leadership, brief their teams and oversee the activity. Information on costs, ferry timetables, time and distance, overnight accommodation etc are available from a computer databank - but information costs money - and eats into a tight budget! Leaders must aim for a carefully constructed plan that keeps everyone on board, fits the constraints and picks up as many points as possible! Plans are entered into the single computer and reports and scores printed out.

What it does

Clearly illustrates some important requirements of good leadership - the need to brief the team well, to co-ordinate the strategic planning process, to keep a watchful eye on budgets and other constraints, to review and to keep good communications within the team. A challenging exercise which gives leaders and teams a great opportunity to demonstrate their skills. Ideal for assessing both leadership styles and team roles.

Customer feedback

  • Excellent for developing leadership in an exciting and innovative manner.

    – J. Aspland, Barnardos

  • A good introduction to leadership - used with student chartered accountants.

    – National Training Manager, Financial Sector

  • Excellent exercise for enabling managers to put learning into practice irrespective of whether they are team leader or team member. Great debate about leadership continues after the exercise has finished.

    – C. Watson, Lucia Consultancy