What can managers learn from Gandhi? What leadership lessons lurk behind Tarzan? Answers to those questions and more are found in Cornell Teambuilding's "Tarzan Meets Gandhi," a new program for corporate clients at Cornell University's world-class Hoffman Challenge Course. The program, intended for businesses, focuses on courage, ethics, self-awareness and vision, while promoting leadership through the use of physical challenges.

To get a taste of "Tarzan" and other Cornell teambuilding programs available to corporate clients, Cornell Outdoor Education will host a free open house at the Hoffman Challenge Course, one of the nation's top challenge course facilities, Wednesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trainers and facilitators will be on hand to give a tour and help visitors sample "the magic of active learning, Cornell style," says Karl Johnson, director of Cornell Teambuilding.

"As the pace of change increases and organizations become more horizontal, trust and teamwork matter more than ever. Businesses and outdoor expeditions alike are more likely to fail from lack of teamwork and leadership than from lack of technical expertise," says Johnson.

He notes that programs are tailored to fit the needs of each company. Previous Cornell Teambuilding clients have included Corning Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase and Procter & Gamble. Groups from eight to 200 employees can take programs of a half-day to six days in length.

In addition to "Tarzan," Cornell Teambuilding offers several less physical courses, including the two-day "MBTI-in-Action." MBTI-in-Action, like many Cornell Teambuilding programs, combines experiential activities with respected diagnostic instruments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicato.

"This program was a home run for my management team," said Mark Murray, president of Acco Systems, an automotive design firm in Detroit, who recently traveled to Ithaca for a three-day program with his executive management team. To register for the free open house, contact Susan English at (607) 255-6183 or se22@cornell.edu . Registrants who attend the open house will receive a coupon worth 20 percent off a future training with Cornell's Teambuilding program.