Leadership Styles: One Challenge, Three Ways to Lead
Groups repeat the same physical transport challenge three times, each time under a leader who uses a different style: authoritarian, democratic and hands-off. By comparing times, effort and satisfaction, students analyze which leadership style works best in each situation.
How to play
- Form groups of six and explain the challenge: move 20 objects to a zone 25 m away; at least three people must touch each object and no one may carry more than one at a time (3 min).
- Round 1: a leader with an authoritarian style card makes the plan alone and gives orders; the group can't suggest changes; the round is timed (5 min).
- Round 2: a new leader uses the democratic style: one minute of ideas, a quick vote and a timed attempt (6 min).
- Round 3: a third leader uses the hands-off style, giving no directions, and the group organizes itself as best it can (5 min).
- After each round, every member records the time, their effort on the Borg scale and their satisfaction from 1 to 5 on the worksheet (3 min).
- Debrief: compare the groups' data and discuss which style fits a timeout, a practice or an emergency (8 min).
Rules
- Each leader's style comes from a secret card, and the role changes hands every round.
- Objects are handed over, never thrown.
- No one runs while holding an object; walk fast to avoid falls and collisions.
- In the discussion, students critique the style, not the person who played it.
Variations
Easier
Use only 12 objects and drop the rule that each one must pass through three pairs of hands.
Standard
Three rounds with three leadership styles, 20 objects, and a record of time, Borg rating and satisfaction.
Harder
Add a fourth round in which the group picks the style it thinks works best and must explain whether its time improves.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student holds a fixed handoff spot halfway along the route and can be leader in any round.
- Autism: the student gets a written role card with sample phrases and may choose not to lead in the authoritarian style.
- Hearing impairment: the leader uses agreed gestures and a small whiteboard to give directions.
Learning goals
- Identify features of authoritarian, democratic and hands-off leadership.
- Connect leadership style to group performance and well-being using data.
- Take on the leader role respectfully and accept being led by others.
Equipment for a class of 25
- balls: 10
- hoops: 10
- cones: 20
- stopwatch: 5
- worksheets: 30
Teacher tip
Give the authoritarian card to students with solid self-confidence and make clear beforehand that it's a role. The democratic style usually wins on time by the second or third round, which sparks a great discussion.
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