Paper Towers Make Good Rallying Cries

It's only been a couple weeks but it felt like forever that I was feeling like the odd man out. Suffice to say I think the group is gelling or Norming as I called it last.

How was it done?
I don't much think anything special happened. As individuals we reached out and tried to include each other. We spoke. Time passed. I'm sorry to say there was no key thing, no magic moment when the group clicked because it would be much more satisfying to say such a thing. I'd love to be able to copy and paste the formula in my other interactions with strangers.
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Well maybe there was one activity... when making paper towers there are a few things to consider before you make the first fold:

* the structural integrity of the paper
* the presence of adhesive or lack thereof
* the environment in which the tower is to be erected
* expected lifespan and load bearing capabilities of the tower






Or two... when writing group rallying cries there are some dos and donts to follow:
✔️ Do choose a catchy military tune that everyone knows
✖️ Don't choose a niche theme song from the 70s (even though The Brady Bunch is a staple and everyone who isn't a fan should be ashamed!)
✔️ Do keep it simple, stupid
✖️ Don't make it too long and convoluted
✔️ Do involve each member in the process
✖️ Don't do it all yourself and expect everyone to be on board with it
✔️ Do include jibes at opposing teams
✖️ Don't listen when everyone reminds you its not a competition when everyone is doing community service
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It seems I failed utterly at passivity and instead ended up doubling down on my authentic self; knocking everyone over the head with my truth until they got the point that I'm hilarious. Now they laugh when I make puns which is basically all I do every time I open my mouth.

I love Agendas; they keep you on target, they're organized, they show progress I mean I've got to say they more than make my day -- they make my meeting.

Leadership and Stages of Team Development

Recently I was introduced to Tuckman's Model and, because its not everyday that I learn something new, this was exciting. It really registered with me because I was at the time Forming a new group; meeting new people who I'll have to work with in order to complete a task. Yay! (And incidentally I don't mean that sarcastically or ironically.) I like the concept of not having to complete a task on my own, I like the concept of getting multiple ideas that I didn't have to come up with on my own and I like the concept of completed tasks.

So my autocratic inclinations aside, in this modern western world a successful group tends to be ruled by such lofty principles as "the democratic process". This brings me to brain-Storming ideas; just throwing all the ideas that each person comes up with in a pool and swirling around the equally weighted opinions/options/ideas. Then we ponder over pool and the popular vote wins (is it too soon to make that reference? because man did this not work out for my team! Hello electoral college!)

Fortunately I think flexibility is a most important skill in groups. I'm now trying a thing called Norming through passivity. Essentially I'm observing personalities and aggressively avoiding conflicts through silence and obedience. I'm going to be that person everyone (read: no one) wants in a group, that silent one who just does what they're told.

High hopes that this will lead to our group Performing exceptionally well at the task then Adjourning with a new understanding of what it means to develop and work as a group.
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In any case today while living my best millennial life, I came across the following video (without even searching for it, its like the universe wanted to reinforce these concepts for me) that only slightly better explained Tuckman's Stages of Team Development. 

And It worked out fine for this guy so I'm very optimistic about my chances.

Quick side note: It is most important to establish group roles and rules early on so that cohesiveness and task completion are prioritized.

You are the One on a Plane that Crashed

When I think of leadership theory I think I would describe myself as an autocrat. I do not enjoy sharing responsibility or being delegated to. I have been known to say "there is no I in team but there is a Me". The universe, of course, does not care about my leadership style and though I do not join teams wherein I cannot wrest away power -- the universe often sees fit to institute me as a cog in machines.

Do you know what it is like to be a task-oriented person in a people-oriented group? All that

sharing and feelings and opinions and not as much actual work? Its frustrating.
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Recently I was asked to give my opinion -- never ask for my opinion -- on a presentation by Alvin Day.

The contrarian within me simply would not sit still and so I had to eschew his philosophy self-love ≠ selfish. My myopic argument was that the relationships I make are more valuable than the potential help that I could give to strangers. My argument was that I value the lives of my loved ones not as much as I value my own, but more. My argument was that my opinion is valid as soon as it is soundly defended whether you are in agreement or not.
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You know if indeed that plane had crashed and I had happened to be on it without any vulnerable creatures beside me I may well have lived. So off my brain went in imagining my own "Lost" premier episode. Before I get off  that plane I'm scavenging: a rucksack stuffed with bottled water, first aid kit, sensible clothes, swim cap, torch, rope, blanket, food, knife, and a radio/phone. You know, the essentials.

Jokes aside (yes those were jokes) I rather like the idea of being proved wrong.
The idea that people-y people can also make productive groups...