One of my self-organizing work groups is talking about learning styles this morning. Here’s part of our discussion (and yes, as usual, the long-winded one is me). If you’re a learner, trainer, teacher, consultant, employee, manager, administrator, instructional designer, researcher, or self-org work group that has an opinion on this subject, let me know what you think. I’d love to share it with my group. Group member 1: “I … [Read More]
What does a nerdy researcher who studies self-organizing work groups do in her spare time? Why participate in and observe other types of self-organizing groups, of course! This week it was a flash mob here in Seattle. Seven 2-hour dance rehearsals, one 7-minute performance, and tons of fun. It also involved about a dozen Advil over the week. And I’m still sore (although mastering the … [Read More]
How do you evolve a planned group into a self-organizing work group? It’ll look a bit different for everyone, but for me it appears to be mostly about letting go as an individual. Let go of the individual plans you thought you needed. Let go of the group or people you thought you needed. Pay attention to the people who always show up to talk about what matters most to you (particularly to those who show up for you again and again). Who are they? What does that diverse group have in common? What’s making all of you give up your time with your individual work, families, and lives to be together? What’s drawing you together? That’s where your self-organizing work group lives.
May 202010
That’s the difference between self-organizing groups and founded groups that I experienced.
Apr 282010
Self-organizing groups and work groups are groups of learners. Everyone in the group may be an expert at something, but nobody in the group is an expert at what the group is attempting to do. I’ve seen this have remarkable impacts on learning. For example: People in the group learn from each other and about themselves If they stay together long enough, people in the group can … [Read More]
How do I know when I’m self-organizing and how do we know if our group is self-organizing? Indicator #8: Enjoying yourself in the moment and in hindsight I am self-organizing when I enjoy myself in the moment and in hindsight. Demonstrated in the following ways: Laughing and smiling Experiencing a sense of freedom, talking about experiencing a sense of freedom/describing a sense of freedom, and … [Read More]
How do I know when I’m self-organizing? How do we know if our group is self-organizing? Indicator #7: Spontaneously demonstrating something, learning in the moment, and reflecting and learning more in hindsight I am self-organizing when I spontaneously demonstrate something, learn in the moment, and reflect and learn more in hindsight. Demonstrated in the following examples: Example 1 Spontaneous demonstration: Using “we” and “us” to … [Read More]
How do I know when I’m self-organizing? How do we know if our group is self-organizing? Indicator #5: Feeling and doing things that feel spontaneous, fluid, and natural—both in the moment and in hindsight. I am self-organizing when I feel and do things that feel spontaneous, fluid, and natural—both in the moment and in hindsight. Demonstrated, for example, by: Laughing Speaking the same words and … [Read More]
How do I know when I’m self-organizing? How do we know if our group is self-organizing? This is fourth indicator of self-organization that emerged from my research and consulting work: Indicator #4: Sharing more of myself than I expected or planned. I am self-organizing when I share more of myself than I expected or planned. Demonstrated, for example, by: Sharing personal feelings, information, and stories … [Read More]
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