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Knot My Problem

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Group of hands holding onto a cross cross of ropes as part of team problem-solving activity Knot My Problem

Knot My Problem

Variation of classic team problem-solving activity to build cooperation.

  • Interactive
  • Promotes communication
  • Fosters collaboration
  • Focus on roles

Step-by-Step Instructions

This team problem-solving activity creates a physical challenge that requires clear communication to resolve. Knot My Problem transforms a tangled rope into a meaningful exercise where everyone must work together. Perfect for leadership development or team building, this dynamic group initiative needs minimal setup yet delivers powerful insights. The restriction of not letting go forces groups to coordinate their movements carefully. Suitable for all ages, it reveals how teams approach complex challenges while developing patience and cooperation.

Knot My Problem – Team Problem-Solving Activity
  1. In advance, tie two ends of a long rope together to form a large circle.
  2. Lay rope on the ground so that it appears like several loops piled on top of one another.
  3. Gather your group around the rope.
  4. Ask each person to grab one section of the rope opposite them with both hands.
  5. As people stand, the rope should appear heavily criss-crossed between their hands.
  6. Instruct your group to unravel the rope as best they can.
  7. No one is permitted to let go of the rope at any time but may slide their hands along the rope if necessary.
  8. The task is complete once the rope is untangled and everyone is facing inside the circle.

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Contributor

Add your Comments...

Have you played this activity? What worked, what didn't work? What type of group? Do you have useful advice for other users? Do you know a fun variation?

Comments (6)

  1. malkarena07

    I tried this activity and sometimes the knot doesn’t become untangled. Does this always work? Or am I doing something wrong?

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      That’s right Malka, on occasions, the tangle of the rope will not allow your group to fully untangle itself. You may get two circles, two intersecting circles, one or more knots in a circle, etc. As described in the Variations tab, I recommend you apply ‘Knot First Aid’ to this issue if and when it occurs.

    • jeWElle de Mesa

      Thaaaaanks for the comments. I wonder – how might the reflection questions evolve, based on the range of possible results? I am thinking of ‘classic’ questions like:

      1. How did the result happen? what were some of the influencing factors?
      2. How do we feel about the result?
      3. How might the result link to what we are trying to achieve?

    • jeWElle de Mesa

      Annnnnd if we are on a roll with the ‘this is knot just a theme’ 🙂 using the ‘pass the knot’ as a debrief/reflection tool might be cute. (“,)

    • Mark Collard

      Good stuff JeWElle, and as you already noted, Pass The Knot is a great variation to use this activity to make it a fun reflection technique.

    • samhui

      thanks . let me try today.

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