Activity
Babel tower
Center of Quebec, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Monteregie, Outaouais, Region of Montreal, Region of Ottawa, Region of Quebec (City), TorontoActivity description
The Tower of Babel is a group activity where participants must build a structure (usually a tower, ramp, or bridge) using simple materials like blocks, straws, or cardboard.
What makes it tricky?
Each subgroup receives slightly different, even contradictory instructions!
This forces team members to collaborate, show leadership, and manage conflicting interpretations in order to achieve a common goal despite their differences.
What does it impact ?
- Developing leadership and confidence : The activity requires each person to make decisions, actively listen to different versions of the instructions, and take initiative in uncertain situations.
- Strengthening communication and sense of belonging : The need to clarify, rephrase, and negotiate the instructions encourages mutual listening and authentic communication.
What should the organizer prepare ?
- Prepare a batch of construction materials : straws, strings, blocks, cardboard, scissors, tape, etc.
- Write several divergent versions of the instructions, but with a similar end goal.
- Print separate instructions for each subgroup.
- Choose a space with enough room for the teams.
- Timer to limit the building phase (30 to 45 minutes).
- Schedule a debriefing moment after the exercise.
How to achieve our goals on the big day ?
- Include a neutral observer in each group to note leadership dynamics.
- Switch roles halfway through (leader, facilitator, etc.) to highlight different leadership styles.
- Start with a 5-minute silent period to force observation before action.
- Ask each group to present its instructions after the activity and discuss the differences.
- Offer a symbolic prize to the team that best overcame the contradictions.
- Draw parallels to real work situations where information is unclear or contradictory.
When is the right context for this activity ?
- When teams face communication challenges or information silos.
- After new team members join to quickly build strong connections.
- Before a large cross-functional project involving multiple departments.
- To test or develop leadership skills in ambiguous settings.
- In a management or decision-making training program.
Other benefits
- Low-cost in terms of materials.
- Adaptable to all ages and hierarchical levels.
- Creates strong shared memories and lots of laughs.
- Encourages critical thinking and stress management.
See what others have done 👋
- In Mexico, one team built a horizontal tower, thinking their instruction said “the longest structure,” while others aimed for “the tallest.” Everyone burst out laughing at the final reveal!
- A KPMG branch witnessed a heated debate between two managers during the activity about “which version of the instructions was real.” After the activity, this turned into an insightful discussion on shared leadership.
- At a management school in Liège, a student implemented a democratic vote at each project step, slowing the team but revealing unexpected organizational talent.
- At Ubisoft, one team managed to merge all instructions into an impressive hybrid structure, completely unusable. They drew powerful lessons about overcompromising.
- At Zappos in Las Vegas, a team thought they could only use natural materials. They stripped office plants to build their tower, which collapsed in 10 seconds. Since then, a rule forbids sacrificing greenery in team activities!
Location : In person, Virtual
Location : Center of Quebec, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Monteregie, Outaouais, Region of Montreal, Region of Ottawa, Region of Quebec (City), Toronto
Activity setting : Indoors, Outdoors
Group size : Up to 10 people, Up to 20 people
Activity languages : English, French
Price : Budget-friendly
Duration : > 1hrs, 1-3 hrs
Difficulty level : Easy to pick up
Group size :
- Up to 10 people
- Up to 20 people
Supplier list (1)