A630.8.3.RB_Manglona, Matthew-Napu_Build a Tower, Build a Team
Tom Wujec’s analysis of why kindergartners perform better is
spot on. I actually did this exercise not too long ago in a team building event
for work and the same results from the MBA students were produced from the “TA
DA” moment to the “UH OH!” moment. The reason was you had a bunch of adults in
a team who all wanted to be the leader and give direction without actually
taking a step back and analyzing and working as a cohesive unit. Brown (2011)
describes Individual Functions that satisfy the needs of individuals to the
group’s task and maintenance. In my experience towards this exercise we all
needed to fulfill what we thought was the right way to build the structure with
the marshmallow at the top.
Kids will be able to perform better because as a kid you are
not worried about the end state of the project. You are out there to have fun
and keeping it competitive at the same time. Kids bring a certain kind of
attitude when it comes to tasks or objectives. I remember putting kids through
an exercise which required them to carry a bowl of marbles in a bucket and
spill that bucket (only using a bungee cord) into a jar. When the adults tried
it prior to the kids, with the same rules applying, the kids came out on top.
They (the kids) all agreed to accomplishing one task, whereas the adults kept
arguing on whose idea was better. The kids possessed what Brown (2011)
described as having a group task function. Which is each member of the group
contributing and agreeing on how to me the end task that was given. (p. 201)
In my view CEOs are better functioning with an assistant
compared to a group of CEOs is because they are used to the recommendation and
advisement from their assistants rather than the orders being barked by the
CEOs. Take myself for example, if I had a subordinate with me in a team and he recommended
something to me I’ll take it into consideration and apply it taking into
consideration the knowledge, experience, and expertise. Whereas if another
person who is in with the same rank who I know either has less experience but with
more attitude and a demanding approach I would give that person the cold
shoulder and tasks will never be accomplished. Decuyper, Dochy, & Van den
Bossche, (2010 ) described what is called “ “Co-construction” which is the mutual process of developing
shared knowledge and building shared meaning by refining, building on, or
modifying an original offer in some way.” (p. 125)
If I was to host a work shop and relate this video to
process intervention skills I would come up with other activities and see how
the teams function in these specific team building exercises. I would emphasize
the concept of team work amongst the individuals. Brown (2011) discusses about
group task functions, maintenance, and to include individual roles in order to
establish a team based event. (p. 202) I would also discuss and share the
stories of what Wujec discussed about the comparison of Kindergartners and
Adults and explain the reasons why the come out on top compared to most adults.
Better yet I would introduce the kids to the participants and have the kids
compete to show and establish a common ground as to why things folded out the
way they do.
What I can take and immediately use in my career is the
concept of communication and team work. Without these two key qualities things
in an organization, the organization would not flourish. Sometimes we as
leaders really just need to take a step back and analyze what we are up against.
If you are the one who is in charge take a consensus of what is being recommended,
and conduct further analysis and communicate amongst your team to let them know
your final decision. This is what ill take with me in my young career and hope
to establish some sort of common ground amongst my peers all aiming to meet the
organization’s vision and goals.
References:
Brown, D. R. (2011). An Experiential Approach to
Organization Development (8th ed.). Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Decuyper, S., Dochy, F., & Van den Bossche, P. (2010).
Grasping the dynamic complexity of team learning: An integrative model for
effective team learning in organisations. Educational Research Review, 5(2),
111-133. doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2010.02.002
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