Sirius Fun

I have spent a lot of time working and playing in the outdoors. In recent years I have fallen into step with a phenomenal hiking partner. It took a while to develop that synchronicity we now share, but the time investment is definitely worth it. On a recent winter wonderland wander I got to thinking about how the lessons from the trail can be brought into working with groups and even as a part of a group. Two things I came up with are rest steps and bastard breaks.

In case you are unfamiliar with those terms, some quick definitions. A rest step is most often used in mountaineering and steep climbs. By locking the knee of one leg and swinging the other, you intentionally slow your pace but allow for rest in each step. Self-care while hiking.

A bastard break usually occurs in a larger group with a variety of paces hiking together. The person or people in front stop for a break and to allow the rest of the group to catch up. Once the group has all arrived, the lead person starts hiking again. The people at the end of the group have a choice, take their break and allow the lead to get ahead or shorten their break to stay close to the group. Neither option is great and this often brings the name of the break into use from the people at the back referring to the people in the lead. Clearly a new strategy should be employed.

When you find yourself with a well matched partner, the break is not an issue, rest steps fall as they do, and together you work toward the summit goal. Individually you find yourselves meeting the pace of the other and the day goes well. The same can be said for well functioning groups.

We let things slip. We don’t take care of ourselves or the members of our team. Perhaps we take care of ourselves and neglect the group, or worry about the group ignoring our own self care.

A major factor in group work is the level of self-care each person engages in to keep them a productive member of the team, rest steps. Take care of your needs and you show up as a better person for the rest of the group. Bastard breaks bring a couple issues to the surface. First be aware of how people in the group are doing. Check in on pace of activity, learning styles, and check for understanding. The second is if you are in the “back group,” don’t be afraid to call out what is happening. Chances are you are not the only one feeling left behind by the pace of the group.