Tower of Power

Purpose

Tower of Power requires a team to stack wooden blocks into a tower using a crane-like device operated by multiple strings — one per participant. No one may touch the blocks directly. It teaches precise group coordination, patience, shared leadership, and the value of slowing down to succeed. The exercise makes invisible team dynamics visible in real time.

At a glance

• Group size: 4–12 participants
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Facilitation style: Observational with minimal intervention
• Setting: Indoors; stable table surface

How to run

1. Setup (3 min): Distribute the Tower of Power kit: a central crane device with strings (one per participant) and wooden blocks.
2. Brief (2 min): Stack all blocks into a tower using only the string-crane. Each person holds one string. You may not touch the blocks with your hands. The tower must be freestanding.
3. Build phase (20 min): The team works together. Let the group find their coordination rhythm. Resist coaching.
4. Debrief (5 min): What made coordination work or fail? Who adjusted their tension? How did you communicate? What is the metaphor for your work?

Materials needed

• Tower of Power kit (commercial) or DIY: a central disc/hook with 4–12 strings attached, plus wooden blocks
• Stable table

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Too many participants per device: 4–8 is ideal. Beyond 8, some strings become redundant.
• Blocks too light: Light blocks are blown by string tension. Use solid wooden blocks.
• Rushing: The exercise rewards patience. Let the group learn this themselves.
• No debrief: Without discussion, the coordination insight stays at the motor level.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Holding a string requires minimal physical effort and is accessible for most.
• Seated participants can participate fully at table height.
• The exercise is primarily physical and visual, working across language barriers.

Variations

• Silent Tower: No verbal communication during building.
• Leader Tower: One person directs while others follow with eyes closed.
• Speed Tower: Timed. Teams try to beat their own record.

When NOT to use this

• When fine motor coordination is a barrier for multiple participants.
• Without the proper kit — improvised versions often fail.
• With groups larger than 12, where too many strings create chaos rather than coordination.

Source & further reading

• Metalog Training Tools — Tower of Power product documentation.
• Cain, J. and Jolliff, B. (1998). Teamwork and Teamplay. Kendall Hunt.