Taking leap of faith is all part of programme's philosophy

The courage to overcome fears, gain the trust of the people who support you and the leadership to bring people with different backgrounds together are all essential qualities of a successful manager.

Since 2004, Manchester Business School has organised Outward Bound programmes every year to train their MBA students in these qualities. In the one-day programme, teams have to accomplish tasks such as building rafts to cross rivers, jumping from high poles into water, and walking on high-rise timber trunks without using hands for support.

'Our school's philosophy is 'learning by doing',' said Christina Siu Chor-wah, director of Manchester Business School Worldwide East Asia Centre. 'The Outward Bound exercises teach the students the right attitude to face difficulties and to solve problems. We hope they can use what they have learnt in their daily lives. We also want to help the students build up relationships through the one-day course.

'As a distance learning programme, our students do not have to come to school every week. We want them to help and support each other by forming study groups.'

Martin Keil, a sales and marketing manager for a consulting and sourcing company, is halfway through the Manchester MBA. He said the Outward Bound programme brought the students out of their comfort zones and through the experience they learnt more about themselves and others. As a former member of the armed forces, Mr Keil is familiar with the challenges of rigorous military training. But he said some of the exercises still posed a test of nerves. 'When I was on the hanging timber I had to depend on my teammates to support me with ropes. I was scared,' he said, adding it was a lesson in trust. 'The exercises helped us overcome our psychological barriers.'

The exercise served as a reminder at work and in studies that difficulties can be overcome. It also helped students better understand each other and build stronger relationships, Mr Keil said.