A confidence drop is a group exercise where a person falls backwards and is caught by others to build mutual trust and team spirit. It can be dangerous, and experienced group leaders are recommended. Emotional trust is built before the physical fall, and a debriefing session follows. Some critics doubt its effectiveness.
A confidence drop is a group exercise in which a person deliberately drops himself to be caught by someone or others in the group. The exercise is used by a variety of groups, organizations and businesses to give those involved a sense of mutual trust. It is also designed to build team spirit among members in order to help the group achieve its goals.
In a typical fall-of-confidence exercise, group members form a circle around the person to fall. Sometimes there is a designated “spotter” who must catch the falling person. The spotter should be positioned close enough to catch the person but far enough away to allow for a near full fall.
There is an element of danger in falling trust. The person to fall is stiff and upright and then simply leans back. He must not try in any way to slow or prevent the fall. When injuries do occur, they are usually the result of panic on the part of the person falling or the spotter’s inability to catch the person safely. Confidence drop facilitators recommend that there is always at least one experienced group leader.
In some exercises, the duration of the confidence drop is gradually extended or varied. It may include falling from a stepladder and then a step. More than one person can be designated to fall. Falls can be arranged in any direction, or the person who falls must choose one without revealing it.
A variation of the confidence drop is to do the exercise in two phases, an emotional drop and a physical drop. Emotional downfall involves trusting that there will be group acceptance. Individuals may be asked questions such as why they are there and what strengths they believe they bring to the group. Participants may also be asked to explain their level of commitment to the group and why its goals are important. Many facilitators believe that building emotional trust in the first place reinforces the success of the physical fall.
There is generally a question and answer session, sometimes referred to as a “debriefing,” following the conclusion of a confidence drop exercise. Participants are asked to comment on the meaning of the exercise for them. They are also encouraged to talk about how it made them feel emotionally, particularly towards the rest of the group.
Some critics point out that there is no scientific evidence that a drop in trust actually builds trust. The exercise takes place in a controlled environment, in which all participants must act reliably. They are also in the presence of all their peers. However, group leaders emphasize that the exercise creates a shared sense of purpose among participants, which builds lasting trust as they continue to work together.
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