Standing in a circle, each participant holds one of the ropes connected to the metal crane in the center. Eight wooden blocks start upright on the floor and the group must use the crane to lift the blocks up and place them one on top of another to form a tower. The objective is to build the highest and most stable tower possible.
The task appears simple but each block is cut at a different angle and stability is harder to maintain as the tower grows taller. The group must plan effectively and coordinate their actions with excellent communication every step of the way. Failure to do so, and the feedback is immediate!
House of Values
The blocks are labeled with company or team values written on paper and the group is tasked with building a house using fundamental values to form the house's foundation. The group may disagree at first about which values are the fundamental ones. The group discovers that a house with a strong foundation is easier to build and can better support mistakes made along the way or changes in the environment over time. This is a clear metaphor for building an effective team or organization.
SHARE THIS TOOL
Use it for communicating clearly and effectively
Use it for dealing with risk, managing change or giving and receiving direction and feedback
Use it for recognizing interdependencies, maintaining balance or synchronizing the actions of the parts to achieve system goals
Use it for focusing on goals or learning and adapting to make progress
Use it for coordinating actions, cooperating and sharing responsibility
Use it for increasing the stakes with progress and drawing on resources
Participants (min / optimal / max) | Time for Activity |
---|---|
Standard: 6 /12 / 24 Large: 6 / 12 / 34 | 10-45 mins |
Materials | Space Needed |
Standard: 1 wooden case, 8 wooden blocks, 1 stainless steel crane with 24 braided strings Large: 1 wooden case, 8 wooden blocks, 1 stainless steel crane with 34 braided strings | Standard: 24 x 24 ft (7 x 7 m) Large: 30 x 30 ft (9 x 9 m) |
Dimensions (in wooden case) | Weight |
14.75 x 12.5 x 4.75 in (37.5 x 31.8 x 12.1 cm) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
We ship anywhere in North America. Ground shipping, express and overnight service available.
We accept returns for a full refund for any unused products sent back within 14 days of receipt.
All products come with a 12-month warranty, covering any material manufacturing defects.
We provide personalized email and phone support during standard business hours, Monday - Friday on Pacific time.
I participated in a webinar put on by Metalog Tools USA and it was phenomenal! The very next day I used some of what I learned in a team building I did, and it was a magical time -- actually one of the best team building moments I've had in 21 years. Thank you Jeff & the entire Metalog Tools USA staff! 5 stars well earned!
Steve Venable
Sept 27, 2022
I am a huge fan of Metalog Tools. Team building activities are a big part of what my organization does and their products are always a big hit. It cost a little more than some of the other products out there but I think of it as an important investment.
Bobby Williams
May 26, 2022
Loved the Metalog Tools that I ordered for Training. We had 20 people in the class and some of their favorite exercises were those using the Metalog Tools. The tools are a little bit pricey but everything is made extremely well. I anticipate being able to use them in training for a long time! I would give them an "Excellent" rating.
Bob Hileman
May 4, 2022
Amazing service and great quality. Laura and team were so helpful to get me the order in record time. Thank you
J B
Mar 24, 2022
High-quality, unique experiential training tools. Well worth the cost. Many options to fit training needs. Highly engaging with verifiable outcomes. Customer service is top notch. Responsive and easy to work with.
Ryan Bertram
Dec 9, 2021
Great product and team building activity. These people have some good ideas.
Michael Donaldson
Mar 4, 2022
Excelentes productos!
Mariana Caceres Ruiz
April 13, 2022
Since I meet METALOG TOOLS everything changed. In terms of interaction, this kind of tools allow the expansion of dynamics, also facilitates the adoption of concepts and the evaluation of what is done in the workshops. The tools have a high, medium and low level of complexity, they are tailored to the participants and have a facilitation guide, this allows their proper use. In general terms, I recommend Metalog Tools as an ally in your training and education processes.
Ivania Artunduaga Rubiano
Dec 17, 2021
Fantastic customer service! We had several questions about the items before we ordered, and some of the items were coming from Germany. We got all of our questions answered, and they handled all of the details with shipping from Germany. Everything arrived on time in perfect order.
Brandy Damron
Dec 17, 2021
We love using Metalog tools and trainings within our organization. The fun, hands-on approach has helped solidified learning and application!
Amy Oliver
Dec 13, 2021
These tools have transformed our training programs. Our participants are fully engaged and able to learn and retain the material naturally. For our facilitators, the ways we can use these tools are seemingly endless.
Bob Jacobson
July 11, 2021
Metalog Tools achieve something that few other forms of training can: the ability to quickly tap into my customers’ visual and tactile senses, and utilize them for the learning process. I am so happy every time to see how, when I tailor the activity precisely to the needs of my customers, I can achieve deep and long-lasting learning, confident in the knowledge that my work is not just useful, but also great fun.
Mark Wagner
Jan 10, 2021
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