A633.5.3.RB - Reflections on Chaos

First thing to consider when examining the video is to make sure you understood the directions were.  The video for this week’s module is titled “Who Needs Leaders” and it provides an example of the exercise/game Obolensky (2010) describes in chapter six. The object of this exercise is to examine the importance of leadership, especially during the simplest of task. 

·         One person (not the identified leader of the group) tells each person to pick two reference points (two other people) within the room specifically stating that one cannot indicate whom they have picked.

·         The individual person informs everyone to move around the room until they have equal space between each reference point.

Initially the room is in constant flux.  Everyone is trying to accomplish the simple task given to them.  It takes a little time for everyone in the room to accomplish the objectives.  So as I considered this exercise, I decided to put on my critical thinking cap.  Then, I realized that there are two trains of thought for this exercise. 

The first is the foundation of the exercise.  To create this foundation, you must give a group of individuals a few simple guidelines.  Next, you must give them the freedom to act based on the instructions they received.  The group of individual will soon drift into a chaotic state before they figure out how to accomplish the task.  This is a good example of how bottom up management works in an organization.  In the end, the individuals did figure out how to reach the objectives, however, key skills like clear communication were missing which would have shortened the time for the task to be completed.    

Let’s consider if the chaotic environment have been avoided if there was an assigned leader for the group of individuals. Perhaps, someone could have taken the initiative to take an unassigned leadership role.  I think this was a great example of how you can take a very simple task and complicate it without some form of structured leadership. 

Now my perspective is one of the two sided coin.  Due to the intricacy of the exercise, the number of possible solutions is vast.  As long as the instructions are clear, some would say that the more complicated the task, the easier it is for us to follow.  Even without leadership, this exercise was proof that problems can be solved in many ways as long as the directions are clear.  The completion time may be different, but the task can be completed. 

Having seen similar exercises, I did not doubt whether or not the exercise could be completed.  I was more concerned with the completion time without some form of leadership.  I think it would have been great to do the exercise in sequence (with two different groups; one with and one without leadership presence).  It would have also been interesting to repeat the same exact exercise to examine the learning curve of the group.  I simply assumed that the time would decrease for each exercise.   

I do feel that the exercise was beneficial and informative.  The exercise examined the dynamics of chaos and complexity from two perspectives.  The task showed insight into human nature; this means we, as people, first panic and then thrive when thrown into a new situation.