Whether the challenge is to negotiate a high-wire walk or to have four groups arrive at consensus independently in the "negotiation square," the only winners in any team-building exercise are those who learn something they can use at the office.
A few tips on how to play the game and get the most out of it:

High ropes. Keep moving, breathe deeply, listen to your coaches, listen to your head when it says you're entering the panic zone. Height is being used only to get your attention - you really can't fall, if your teammates are doing their job.

Problem solving. For any of the typical exercises (Spider's Web, Nitro Crossing, Warp Speed, Traffic Jam) the key is to realize they can rarely be solved by an individual. Group initiative in planning, communicating, analytical thinking and appropriate leadership is crucial.

Executive maze. Be aware from the beginning that both teams are on the same course.

Towers of Hanol. The solution to restacking the rings on the three posts is in the sequencing. One person can  figure it out but then can't communicate the solution. And that's just the point. It's not about knowing the right answers," says Tim Dixon, director of the Corporate Adventure Training Institute at Ontario's Brock University. "It's behaving in a way that's consistent with the buzzwords: participative decisioning, shared responsibility, shared vision." The experts say these programs are not about impressing the boss.

If you must, know more about your organization and its mission than anyone else. New employees who know all about the business emerge from these programs with credibility, promotability and respect.

The experts also warn that the best way to spoil your experience and have your company waste its money - is to try to seize control.