A630.8.4.RB_FogartyShawn

I agree with Tom Wujec's analysis of why kindergarteners perform better on the Spaghetti Challenge than MBA students. The simple fact is the MBA students attempt to over think the process and work diligently to “find the single right plan” (Wujec, 2010). Additionally, kindergarteners do not have distorted leadership roles to facilitate, it’s a trial and error approach whereas MBA students expended resources trying to “Jockey for power.”

            I think the simple aspects that the kids look at it as a fun and simple project, they do not place any high stakes about the outcome nor would they overly critique the team-building concepts on the backside. Sometimes, and this is selective at best, you just have to go with the flow and have fun. Stress, especially over simple tasks like building a marshmallow tower, can distract individuals from task accomplishment. Self-imposed stress is the easiest element to overcome but likewise is easily embedded into ones workmanship. Lastly, kids are relatively stress free, if their marsh mallow falls over, they still go to recess.

            I would think that CEOs with an executive assistant perform better than a group of CEOs alone since there is a pre-established understanding of roles and responsibilities. Rather than jockeying for positions of power, the likely fall in on the ones previously established. Time and energy is not spent on role assignment and thus residual stress is likely to be reduced. Also, Tome Wujec points out that “the challenge provides a shared experience, a common language, a simple stance to build the right prototype” (Wujec, 2010) as it allows a practitioner to “identify the hidden assumptions” about group task functions.

            If I were asked to facilitate a process intervention workshop, I would relate the video to process intervention skills in the team aspect. Particularly as an observer watch to se

e who applies task and maintenance functions to the project.  Initially, I would like to see the teams come together asking questions and seeking opinions and ideas, establish a plan. Throughout the project, I’d also observe to see who support with the maintenance functions, keeping everyone on task and timeline while supporting and encouraging solid teamwork. The last aspect would be to share the results in an after action review that is run by the group. Allowing them to self-critique first prior to sharing outside observations.

           The spaghetti challenge is the best take away in the concepts of a simple exercise that allows varied elements of teamwork and leadership to be evaluated. The low cost and low impact aspect can be fun; yet, the elements of teamwork and leadership can be incorporated without the intense nature of a fancy meeting. I think the crafts aspect can actually open more people up to learn as it distracts them from the mainstream processes. I would like to run this on a small scale within my section to evaluate the group task functions.

References

Wujec, T. (2010, April). Tom Wujec: Build a tower, build a team | Video on TED.com [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_build_a_tower.html