No doubt you’ve seen it in groups in the outdoors: the person that charges, ahead, has their own agenda, or disrupts the dynamic of the group. These behaviors that may be fine in town, but they don’t work when you’re in the wilderness in challenging conditions, whether you’re climbing, backpacking, skiing, or paddling.
The Fearless Blusterer
The Fearless Blusterer will tell lots of stories about all the peaks they’ve climbed, rapids they’ve run, and crazy experiences they’ve had along the way, and that the conditions you’re facing are nothing in comparison. Some of the stories may even be true. Either way, their macho attitude can wear on the group and lead to poor decisions.
What To Do: Bluster usually masks insecurity and fear. Respond by lessening any peer pressure. When the more experienced people in the group freely express caution, it allows the blusterers to back off.
The Laser Beam
The Laser Beam is goal-oriented and won’t feel complete if the goal isn’t achieved, whether it’s climbing a peak or covering a certain number of miles. They’re reluctant to slow down or adapt if conditions are unfriendly or the rest of the group can’t keep up.
What To Do: First and foremost, build your group with a clear goal: to climb a peak, or to have a relaxing time in the mountains? Second, make sure that the laser beam is part of the process of assessing the conditions and the strength of the whole group. Formalize the no-go criteria, or the benchmarks that will have you turn around, in order to prevent their desire to finish the goal even in the face of foolish risks.
The Small Bubble
The Small Bubble keeps on paddling, hiking, skiing or climbing with little awareness of the rest of the group—they don’t turn around and look for others. For short periods, this can be fine if the group is competent and close together. But before long this can split the group, leading to all kinds of problems.
What To Do: The shrinking bubble of awareness is a fear reaction. Focused on navigating a wind-blown sea or a traversing a steep ridge, the Small Bubble simply isn’t able to relax enough to pay attention to their surroundings. Don’t try and provide technical coaching until they get a break—they won’t be able to absorb it. Focus on reducing their stress: tell jokes, tell stories, and reassure them. Once they relax, their bubble will expand again.
The Absent-Minded Professor
The Absent-Minded Professor is simply disorganized: the last to be ready to hit the trail and can’t remember where they packed the fuel. In many situations, its simply annoying, but in critical situations, it can be dangerous, and it can delay a group long enough to expose the group to weather danger or other objective hazards.
What To Do: Pair them with someone who’s organized. Help them the first time or two, but don’t do their work for them. They’ll benefit from systems: checklists, routines, and buddy-checks. Let them know the start time, so they can take extra time to be ready. If they’re involved in a critical task like rigging ropes, make sure someone checks it.
The Stoic
The Stoic keeps on trucking, even when they’ve got giant blisters on their heels, are dehydrated, or are running on fumes. They may or may not be having fun. But over time, it’s a risk to the group, since those blisters may prevent them from hitting the trail the next day.
What To Do: Take breaks as a group so they don’t have to feel embarrassed by asking for one. Say at the outset that everyone needs to take care of themselves, so the group can prosper instead of having to be slowed down by the person who hit the wall.
The Whiner
The whiner is the one still complaining about the bugs or the third day of rain, which can snowball into group whining and nobody having fun. A complaint here and there is human. A chronic whine is a downer for the group’s energy.
What To Do: Gently let them know that you heard them, and there’s nothing that can be done about the situation, or ask them if they have any ideas. After that, nip any complaining in the bud if it starts up again.
The Turtle
The turtle withdraws into their shell when threatened. They seek the safest route, are clearly nervous about upcoming challenges, and reluctant to push themselves. The polar opposite of the laser beam, the turtle’s caution can be an asset in potentially dangerous environments, but can put a damper on everyday adventures, and holds back their own skill development.
What To Do: When the chips are really down, listen to them. Otherwise, work with them to overcome their fear with practice in forgiving environments, pairing them with a mentor who’s both competent and relaxed. When they start doing well, push them a bit but make sure they end on a high note.
