Three years ago when I was asked this question for the first time, off the top of my head I said something like “That with the right group of people, I can do anything.” Luckily for me, because I’m a researcher, that impromptu comment was recorded. I got to listen to it over and over for an entire year as I sought to understand what … [Read More]
When your self-organizing work group succeeds in accomplishing the work-of-the-moment that it came into existence to do, it may be obvious that the group needs to end. But it may also be unclear at what point–exactly–you as an individual should let go of the group and its work. From my perspective today, here are five signs that it may be time to let go of your SOWG and its work and ideas…
There is one additional indicator of self-organization–at the group level–that I could not see at an individual level. As a self-organizing work group, you can: Indicator #9. Re-form and immediately exist again, as needed, after your lifetime. Demonstrated, for example, by: Group members continuing to help each other, as needed, months and years after the lifetime of the group. Group members happily coming together again … [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 #6: Behaving thoughtfully, demonstrating awareness and reflection I am self-organizing when I behave thoughtfully, demonstrating awareness and reflection. Demonstrated, for example, by: Talking about unexpected consequences emerging from your actions (in my study, people often spoke of difficult yet ultimately positive consequences emerging from collective actions) Talking about … [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]
How do I know when I’m part of a self-organizing work group? How do we know if our group is self-organizing? This is the third of a series of posts in which I document the nine indicators of self-organization that emerged from my research and consulting work. Indicator #3: Openly seeking to understand another I am self-organizing when I: Openly seek to understand another. Demonstrated, … [Read More]
Self-organizing work groups can be difficult to see. So how do I know when I’m part of one? How do we know if our group is self-organizing? This is the second of a series of posts that document the nine indicators of self-organization that emerged from my reseach study of self-organizing work groups of business employees and high school teachers. As a consultant/researcher, I’ve also … [Read More]
stay connected