A Final Example From Everyday Life: Perhaps the Most Enlightening Team Project in the History of the World

Summary of the Final Team Project Experiment

  • Experiment Setup: The author conducted an experiment with a group of managers at a telecom company, dividing them into teams (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue) based on their behavior profiles to solve a work-related problem within one hour.

  • Activities and Dynamics in Each Group:

    • Red Group: The atmosphere was tense and argumentative, with individuals asserting their ideas loudly. Despite conflicts, they completed the task quickly but incorrectly, misunderstanding the problem.
    • Yellow Group: The environment was energetic and friendly with lively discussions. The group focused more on the discussion experience than on the task, ultimately failing to address the given problem but providing entertainment.
    • Green Group: The ambiance was calm and quiet, focusing on personal stories and group harmony rather than assertive problem-solving. They made some progress but did not solve the problem, and there was a lack of assertiveness and decisiveness.
    • Blue Group: They were quiet and meticulous, spending too much time on details and technicalities rather than the task at hand. They did not manage to propose a concrete solution and required more time to finalize their approach.

  • Results and Presentations:

    • Red Group: Presented confidently but solved a different problem than given.
    • Yellow Group: Focused on the presentation's entertainment aspect to cover up the lack of a solution.
    • Green Group: Presented hesitantly with unclear communication, showing progress but no definitive solution.
    • Blue Group: Preoccupied with minor details and correctness, did not present a solution and needed more time.

  • Observations and Reactions:

    • The Red group was applauded for speed but not accuracy.
    • The other groups failed to meet the challenge due to various shortcomings tied closely to their behavioral traits.
    • Post-presentation interactions included the Red Group declaring the Blue Group as 'idiots,' the Yellow Group criticizing the Blue presentation for being boring, and the Green Group experiencing discomfort during the Blue presentation.

Conclusion from Experiment: - The exercise illuminated how strongly behavioral types influence group dynamics and problem-solving efficiency. Each group displayed strengths and weaknesses associated with their profiles, affecting their ability to successfully complete the task.