In todays guest post Nigel Percy explores nature’s networks and what we can learn from the flocks and shoals.
Consider the flock – or the shoal. Haven’t they effortlessly got there before us with Social Networking? Without a word, or even a Tweet (stop it, Ed) they organise themselves.
Birds (or fish) that have only been around each other for a short while, manage to get themselves together and perform the most amazing feats of dexterity and social learning.
But why do they get into flocks or shoals?
- Is it a form of attack or defence?
- Maybe its comfort and conformance?
- Is it to help weaker ones or to make themselves appear bigger and more frightening or to confuse a predator?
Seemingly there’s a lesson for our networks though, we try to show off our plumage at our gatherings; birds try to fit in and express their similarities.
There may, or may not, be any rules to the art of flocking but here’s my observations.
- Know your place in the flock and in the network.
- Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Get connected; i.e as close to the middle as you can.
- Ensure that you look out for your immediate neighbour and that both of you stay safe.
- No touching wings (stepping on each others’ toes).
- If you do find yourself on the edge, try to get more people around you to avoid predators or to get the group to affect a sudden change of direction.
You can only do this if it’s in line with the aim of the group and you make sincere and continuous efforts to create change – think of a Human Flock; The Mexican Wave. It takes a concerted effort to get one off the ground.
The group will find its own pace and collectively follow its best interests. Small groups will sometimes flare off in order to support a weaker member but quickly regroup to share best practice. Mavericks are tolerated but only to help the group take a fresh direction. Maybe that’s why, when there is a new change, we see a flash (of brilliance) quickly ripple through the shoal/flock.
At the end of the day, retire to your nest.
Make good, keep learning, prepare yourself for the next day and keep your eye on the wind.
It may be time to move on and you need to be in the swim.
Nigel holds an MSc in Training and Performance Management specialising in Globalisation and Cultural Learning differences.
He has delivered seminars, training and coaching globally including the USA, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Dubai, Canada, Scandinavia and extensively in Europe.
Nigel Percy (AKA “The Unlocksmith“) also has a great blog (It’s a bit like) where his insights and use of metaphor are awesome.
image used with permission: UKDevon
Paul and Ally are working on an exciting 6-part (online) course to help your learners fully engage with your training - sign up for the 'early bird' list for advanced notification and more info
If you liked this, you may also like these:
- Bop It and leadership We have had some discussions recently about management development and why people still feel the need...
- Twitter Updates from last week 2009-09-20 THANK YOU @rapidbi Accelerated learning – I hope all 'trainers' work this way http://bit.ly/Vl0QY, if not.....
- Evaluation is NOT hard… … but it is essential A couple of weeks ago Ally and I spent an extremely...
One Comment
Great post Nigel – thanks for sharing this. I love your take on this and have enjoyed reading your “It’s a bit like..” blog posts.
This post has really made me think about the learners in the training room. If they are ‘a bit like’ a flock, it may explain their behaviour or even better if I recognise that they will behave like this naturally – the question becomes, how I can harness this to help deepen learning.
Thanks for stimulating my brain