Introductory Blog Topic- by Onder

I agree with Eric that the group was successful, as it did reach the objective of forming a square. I also think that we took too long to achieve the objective. In a real-world competitive environment, some other group would probably have done it faster and we would have lost the competitive advantage of getting there first.


I think I helped the people around me with getting out of the "figure eight" configuration, which was essential for forming anything that resembled a square or rectangle. Afterwards I felt a bit helpless, and even gave up trying to assume leadership, as the group was split into two and the other group did not seem to pay any attention to the group around me. They kept "counting" without explaning what it was for, and seemed like there were several people carrying on a conversation. I think counting was actually the right thing to do, if only it was used as part of an overall plan that everyone understood. The square could have been formed much faster if everyone counted and the people at four corners were identified. If the four corner people pulled the rope to form ninety degree corners while the others held the rope loosely and moved with the rope, the square could have been formed in a few minutes.

If I had done this before, I would have already thought of a good way of accomplishing the task. I would let the group know, perhaps with a loud voice, that I had done this before and I had a plan to get them to form the square. However, without the ability to talk such "experience" would not have been of any use. Without ability to communicate, I can't imagine how one can hope to assume leadership.

How do I wish the game was played? I wish the first thing the group did was to take a few minutes to think about the problem and how to solve it, and then let those with good ideas speak up. Then, I wish they would collectively agree on the most promising solution, and follow the leadership of the one who proposed it. This might be really wishful thinking, as the group did not know each other and might have not been willing to follow a "voice." But again, there would at least have been a process through which a leader could emerge.

In retrospect, I was also guilty of communicating only with the people around me in an effort to get them out of the figure eight. I could have tried to get the attention of the "other group" as well, and make sure that everyone was on the same page.

I heard someone say today that the voyage, not the destination, mattered most. I am proud that I participated in the game and tried to do my best.