The complexity exercise this week was fascinating to watch
in practice. The video clearly demonstrates that with a clear goal and little
direction from a leader, people can make amazing progress toward accomplishing
a goal by using their own skills and intuition. At the end of the video he asks
the group what would have happened if there was someone who had been appointed
in charge of making everyone go where they were supposed to. In my mind, it
certainly would have been a much lengthier and more involved project. Any time
you have one person trying to manipulate the actions of many others, there will
be a lot of confusion by those following directions and stress by those giving
them. It reminds me a lot of teaching school. When I wanted my students to research
a specific topic and create a project, I gave some basic directions and allowed
them to complete the assignment on their own. The variety of ideas that comes
out of this strategy leads to more creativity. It is time consuming to direct every
activity involved in realizing a vision. Students understood the basic task and
were able to accomplish that task in many different ways.
As demonstrated in the video, once people receive the
direction, they take time to process what they are supposed to do before they
move. Once that happens, they quickly determine in their own minds how they are
going to accomplish the goal. It does not mater what others do because everyone
adapts as necessary to the quickly changing environment. Words were not
necessary as individuals used other skills to determine what the necessary
actions were on their part. They relied on one another to provide clues to
their next steps. It wasn’t always pretty, but in the end, only small
adjustments were necessary by a few people before the goal had been
accomplished. If the director had continued to provide direction, he would have
had to waste time asking everyone who they had chosen as reference points,
arrange people while talking over and around everyone, and finally, walk around
making sure that everyone is actually where he wants them to be. These
activities are reminiscent of what a micromanager does.
I would love to be able to watch this play out in my own department.
To a certain extent we have independence but management tends to want to
babysit along the way. This exercise could go a long way toward demonstrating
that people can and do find their way on their own with minimal instruction. I
also think this is important for employees to see. Some who may not have confidence
in their skills as a leader are sure to feel a renewed sense of faith that they
can do it.
Strategically, the exercise illustrated that employees in a
complex situation do not necessarily need more leadership. In fact, leaders
play a minimal role while employees are working much more efficiently and
effectively. Strategy needs to
include input from all stakeholders from the beginning all the way through to
the end. Giving people in the organization the ability to lead themselves and
each other will be motivating.
Reference: Obolensky, N. (Performer). (2008, April 08). Who
needs leaders? [Web Video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41QKeKQ2O3E
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