On April 28, 2013, I attended the outward bound organized by our company. I haven’t received such kind of training before. Therefore, for me, it’s an extraordinary experience.

At the beginning of the training, participants were randomly divided into six groups. According to the introduction and arrangement of the coach, the members of each group shall be united as one team and work together to overcome difficulties and complete all the programs within a specified time. We have four training programs together, and below, I will give a brief introduction to each program and provide the key words to summarize the aim of each program.

1. Penetrating the power grid 

Key words: Preliminary planning, distribution, coordination 

All the group members shall penetrate a “power grid” (string netting) perpendicular to the ground. The netting has two tiers with multiple net holes. Each hole on the above tier can be used three times while each hole on the lower tier can be used two times. When penetrating the power grid, no one (including any part of the body) is allowed to touch the grid. In addition, no one is allowed to go the other side.

At first, as we had no careful planning, we wasted some relatively big holes and some of our coworkers were “electrocuted”. Although this program was finally proved unsuccessful, we have learned a lot from it.

2. Blind’s phalanx

Key words: decision-making capability, the art of listening, effective communication

The coach will give the group a knotted rope and all the group members shall wear an eyeshade, then they are requested to open all the knots, compose a maximum square with the rope, and finally, all the members shall be evenly split on each side of the square while the remainders stand in the center of the square. All the activities are ordered to be completed within 30 minutes.  

We finished this program less than 30 minutes, but the result was not that satisfactory. Multiple leadership and shall be precluded in business management.

3. Broken bridge crossing/ horizontal bar grasping

Key words: self-challenge, overcome pressure

Two groups were brought together, and one group was ordered to jump over a gap in the air (broken bridge crossing) while another group was requested to grasp a horizontal bar in the air. I was distributed to the latter activity.

For this activity, you have to climb up onto an 8-meter-high platform, then, with a jump, you should grasp a horizontal bar which hangs 1.5 meters above the platform. Of course, the coach will give you some instructions and you have to wear safety belts.

I was very glad that when I found that I was the only girl who grasped the horizontal bar in my group. It’s very possibly that I have no fear of height.  

4. Climbing over a wall to “escape”

Key words: gratitude, teamwork

All the participants shall be climb over the 4.2-meter-high wall to “escape”, no ladders or climbing tools, what you can rely on are only the shoulders, thighs and arms of your coworkers. It seems impossible for one of us get over the wall, as it is tall and smooth. However, all the participants helped one another and all of us managed to survive.