Please be with bigger group...a success instinct from animal world

Being in a group is always known to offer several advantages and that is why most animals prefer to be in groups such as pride, herd, troop, pack, flock, swarm, school etc.

The possibility of quick sensing of the predator and likely defense due to large number of members in a group are some of the advantages the animals could enjoy when they prefer to live in groups. That is the reason why most animals including man prefer to live in social groups, colonies etc.

Research studies have proved beyond all the above reasons that are known to us.

The mosquito fish (Gambusia spp.,) become more wise and quick in making right decisions when they are in larger group than in smaller groups. This is the recent research finding.

The above finding provides an important management message to the corporate world. It is not only the task people can accomplish when they work as team but they also become wiser in making right decisions, if they work as team.

From team, people can learn about the behavioural idiosyncrasies different members, their expertise, attitude, intent and expectations, their style of functioning etc. Only if such variety and variables in the behaviour of people are available, people can develop and sharpen the skill and intelligence that is required to meet the future challenges of the organization.

The HR function instead of wasting their time in preparing different policies, appraisal schemes etc., must interact with people in different departments and become part of every team. Like how the mosquito fish become wiser if it is bigger team than in small group, the leaders and HR function also will get several insight if they become part of every team by being with them besides questioning and appraise them. Only with such learning right HR culture can be created.

The above research finding of mosquito fish also provides another insight to the solitary performers in corporate. Learning and perfection comes not from isolation but only from being in groups and teams.

Look at the example of Gambusia. Members of Gambusia from bigger group take wiser decisions quickly than those in pairs or in small groups.

From large group, each member is likely to get enormous insight, impulses and perspectives to evolve a right decision whereas such scope is limited for members in smaller groups.

This is possible not when one is in a group but only when one is fully involved in team effort, respect every member of the team and willing to work as team and learn from it. The Gambusia fishes appear to follow the above principle in letter and spirit.

Please learn to follow the tenets of team. Never loose the chance to work in large team as well because your learning and wisdom from such large team will be quite high.

Dr S Ranganathan
ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai
Desire, Dream and Destination – Social Entrepreneur Forum