Facilitator could start off with sharing inspiring stories related to climbing. For example, mountaineering stories, natural rock climbing, sports climbing, etc what ever that may prime their thoughts in making connection between emotions and insights.

Sensing their readiness to share is paramount to a well facilitated session. Once the facilitator deems they are “ready”, get them to be seated in a circle and commence the sharing process.

Facilitator: Let’s take turns to share our insights we have got from the experience. Going in a circle, each person think of a word or a short phrase to describe the experience you have just received.

Using a word or short phrase makes it simple for everyone to start of sharing. Once everyone shared, the facilitator could go back to the start of the circle for the next sharing.

Facilitator: There should be meanings for the phrase or word you have mentioned. Let’s take turns to expound on the word or phrase you have used in the initial round.

Usually, the sharing would come naturally, with less difficulty than starting off with “How did you feel?”

Facilitator should be alert of their sharing, latching on to any relevant insights, expounding on it and making a strong and visible tie-back to the role they play in their organization.

Unexpected, Marveled and Wonderful

The process if gathering the participants is the same as “Just One Word”.

Facilitator: The rope protects you here, what is protecting you at workplace? The belay team is providing protection for the climbing remotely; is it easy for the climber to forget/overlook this discreet relationship?

Obtaining responses from participants are not necessary however it would be a bonus.

Facilitator can now introduce the debrief structure to them. In their own group, each participant should talk about the followings;

For a group size up to 30, they can be divided into 4 small groups or organize them according to the number of climbing teams. The discussion should be relating the climbing experiences to the three questions. Each participant should take turns to share their insights. Allow up to 10 minutes for the initial round of sharing.

After the initial round, select from each group, one representative to summarize their individual group sharing to the rest if the members. Facilitators should record the key words on the flipchart (see photo for sample). Visually, this will capture the essence of their insights.

Paradigms, Memories and Insights

Frontload the climbing activity by asking them; “Why climb?” History has numerous anecdotes that show the benefits from going through any adventurous experiences. There is a saying of “Let the Mountain speaks for itself” from people who have experienced a trip in the mountains. Climbing mountains itself is an adventurous trip and many thoughts can be evoked from it. Facilitator can start sharing with the following dialogue.

Facilitator: Why do we climb? (wait for responses)

Usually there will be witty inputs like,

Such inputs are important as they evoke others to think about the word adventure, what are the adventures in our lives?

Facilitator: Climbing evokes paradigms, memories and insights. Is that right? (wait for responses). What is paradigm? (pause for a while)

Facilitator: Paradigms are like cognitive maps in our heads. These maps are formed in accordance to the social norms. They are the “must be”, “ought to be”, “shall be”, “should be”, etc of our lives. They are closely related to our fundamental beliefs but it is not as core as our belief systems.

Facilitator: Memories, anyone would like to define it? Any external stimulus that has significant meanings will be etched into our minds as memories. Last but not least, Insights.

Facilitator: What do think that is? (pause for a while) When you are able comprehend the essence of climbing, making the connection to your life, you have gained insights. It is a deep understanding of things through experiences, observation, analysis or intuition.