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Using relevant metaphors from nature it seems that self-organizing must be preceded by having a grand goal that by far supersedes individual goals. If this condition is met organization may self-organize and follow voluntarily simple rules that lead to emerging behaviors and structures.
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Crafting the Raft- Lessons for Managers
Ali Anani
Ants forming a raftFish swimming in
schoolsBirds flying in V-
formations
I dedicate this presentation to Bernard Hardy for being the Father of Groups. He is the raft that keeps us safe from sinking
What drives these behaviors?
• Ants forming a raft• Fish swimming in schools• Birds flying in V-formations
Crafting a raft• Fire ants avoid
sinking if flooded with water by sticking to each other. The way ants do this leave “air sacs”, which keep the resulting raft floating
• For excellent photos see this reference.
Motivation to form a raft
• Why ants keep doing that? What prompts each ant to follow simple rules?
Simple rules are not enough
• Ants realize that each one is unsafe from sinking. It is only through forming a raft that they are ALL safe
Simple rules are not enough- 2
• It is this realization that the grand goal of ALL ants supersedes any selfish goal that make ants follow simple rules to self-organize and form a raft
Simple rules are not enough- 3
• Other issues become less relevant such as which ant stays at the top layer, which one rests at the bottom layer and which ones stay in the middle
The Grand must be greater than the individual goal
• Survival is a grand goal
• Individual survival of ants is NOT possible; collective survival is
Organizations must do the same
• Individuals are selfish to varying degrees
• Unless employees believe they may only float if they join hands collectively they tend to show egoism
Organizations must do the same- 2
• If employees believe that that their survival is linked to collective actions they shall not abide by simple rules and will scatter efforts in all directions
V-formation of birds
• Birds fly in V-formations because each bird realizes that it has to put 78% extra effort if it decides to leave the flock
• The individual goal is less profitable than the collective goal
School of Fish• Fish swim in schools. Each
fish realizes it is more risk to swim alone than in keeping with the fish school
• It is the subdue of individual interest that make fish swim in schools and obey simple rules that lead to the emerging behavior
The lesson is great• Organizations MUST find a
grand goal that keep the interest of employees above the individual interest. Without such goal following simple rules and the emerging of new behaviors and structures would not be possible
Crafting the Raft Goal• This is what organizations
need