The Marshmallow Challenge
As simple as it may sound, the Marshmallow challenge is a difficult challenge that many people fail even in groups. According to Tom Wujec, most professionals from lawyers, business graduates, CEO’s do struggle to build a standing structure before the set time elapses. However, he notices that kindergarten graduates are the most successful in this challenge. Since they regularly test their structures before time elapses, they can create structures that can withstand the weight of the marshmallows. If put in a group tasked to handle a marshmallow challenge, I would encourage my group to adopt Team effectiveness principles such as creating a plan, excellent communication, and division of labor depending on an individual’s capabilities.
Before and during the Marshmallow challenge, communication among group members is vital. Excellent communication encourages corporation among group members, increasing the chances of success. With excellent communication, group members can easily communicate their ideas and provide solutions to challenges. Besides that, with excellent communication, it easier to identify the strengths of each group member. Moreover, group members would enjoy working in the group hence encouraging positive results.
Before embarking on the Marshmallow challenge, we would have to share ideas among my group members on the best structural design. Here group members would suggest structural ideas and appropriate approaches that will guarantee success. During this process group, members will be able to suggest ideas while at the same time learning from each other. Embarking on building the structure without thinking through and agreeing on an appropriate design could result in the building of a structure that would collapse.
Last but not least, while building the structure, group members will work on the part they feel and know they will be able to deliver. Group members will be able to work on parts they think they are comfortable with or they are good at. This will ensure that everyone has a role to play in during the construction of the structure. This will ensure that the structure is completed before time, giving time for adjustments or improvements in the design. Allocating group members with separate tasks saves a lot of time hence preventing last minutes rush.