Tower Exercise

L02&03

After the first lecture, I expected something new for the next one and it was there.Dr Mandi brought small wooden blocks for teaching the difference between old and new management.

Now the exercise was to build tower with single base from the blocks.He asked us to guess the height(number of blocks) of tower, which one can built using both hands.There was lot of guessing 15,18,25.... until he asked us to bet on it.Now since one has to bet students were cautious, one guy said 20 and tried his luck.

He did well and achieved his target, to be precise 22.Now it was time for the same task in different way, team work. Pair of three, one worker blindfolded, one manager instructor and one CEO. The worker had to use only one hand and manager cannot touch the blocks.
So what will be the guess now, more or less than the previous one. Again guessing went one 10,12,15...until bet was there. Three guys put bet to construct of 23, one more than the previous one.

Slowly the tower was building, with guidance from the manager. The result surprised us all. 25 with Team work.

 Now to discuss the two scenarios:
 1.In the first one, a single person was working alone craftsman (old management) , no dependency on others. The satisfaction,skill level is high.
2.In this Management is involved.Manager decides the strategy and productivity is on higher side.

Parameters	Old Management	Modern Management
Productivity	Less	More
Skill	More skilled	Less
Satisfaction level	More	Less
Work	single person handles large amount	Less
Work division	Not clear	clear
Time	More	Less

What I learnt from the exercise, is how to set goals and have a zeal to achieve them.The goal setting process must produce what are known as SMART goals. Which can be stated as:
S-Specific: should be well defined and easily understandable. In this case tower with single base needs to be created.
M-Measurable: goal must be within measurable limits.Without limits its difficult to track the progress. In this case the height of tower lets say 20 blocks.
A-Attainable: goal should be attainable under given circumstances. In this case tower of 20 blocks can be erected.
R-Realistic: A realistic goal must be there. unrealistic goals can hamper the the morale of employees. In this case after first scenario, it was looking possible that 22+ tower can be made.
T-Timely: a exercise or project without deadline can create unnecessary burden on the management. 

Now If I put the SMART goals strategy to tower building exercise,it can be seen that participants had well defined goals i.e. construction of tower , an attainable goal of 18 blocks according to historic data available and re-evaluate to 22 blocks height after realizing  the potential.

In reality it is expected from management not only to set goals,but also create environment ,build confidence,provide motivation to employees to help them to achieve goals.
Dr Mandi said  “great managers are masters of 'Pygmalion'.

The Pygmalion effect, or Rosenthal effect, is the phenomenon in which the greater the expectation placed upon people, the better they perform.
 As the organization expands, it face many obstacles.There must be Proper HR policies, to address the grievances of employees in time.  

Takeaway:
 1.Grab the opportunity when it comes.
 2.Keep morale of team high by motivation and expectation(You can do it).
 3.Expectation or Goals should be SMART.