Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: The Measure of a Man

even during times of stress and uncertainty. It is not uncommon to see ‘crises’ built into schools and companies’ leadership programs in the form of challenging case studies or obstacle courses, so as to nurture participants’ leadership qualities. Although not everyone is ‘of leadership quality’, challenging group activities help to identify the team leaders from the team followers, allowing participants to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and the best way that they can contribute to the team.

Pushing one’s limits allows one to develop greater abilities and achieve greater heights. Challenges, big or small, prompt a person to explore different ways to achieve more. Such difficult but stimulating activities call for the full use of one’s abilities or resources, promoting further development. Since young, parents and teachers would design ‘challenges’ that encourage children to apply their knowledge and creativity, and their ability to ‘think out of the box’. These challenges can be as simple as solving a challenging word problem, or reading a difficult passage.

Such challenges encourage the kids to strive harder and learn more along the way, giving them the confidence to attempt greater challenges. In workplace, employees are encouraged to take up bigger responsibilities to develop their abilities in different areas. They are also presented with challenging case studies in workshop environment to prepare them for real-life challenges. Such challenges are beneficial in learning and development. However, challenging activities may not be good for everyone.

Exposing people to challenging activities that are beyond their level and abilities can lower their self esteem, making them lose confidence in themselves. Exposing unfit people to over-challenging physical activities might even put their

lives at risk! Therefore, challenging activities should be designed to suit the development level of their participants, in order to motivate and benefit them more. Challenges foster growth. Everyone should be exposed to challenging activities that are suitable for their social, mental and physical level so as to further develop teamwork, leadership and confidence to take up greater responsibilities.