Blind Square Exercize Thoughts

Hey guys,

Some of my thoughts on the blind square exercise. I had done this exercise once before in one of the other MBA classes I took here at SJSU and found a lot of value in it. Last time I felt that the majority of the people participating had not done it before which kind of gave a little higher level of excitement and energy to the exercise. Also, next time I believe that using blindfolds, makes people take the game more seriously, as they are truly in the dark. I think overall our group was successful, but was definitely having problems with fragmentation and the forming of subgroups.

The problem with fragmentation and why leadership is so important in this exercise is that one solution for one group of students could also create a new problem with another group that is not a part of that local solution. This is why its important that the whole group try different solutions but with some type of centralized communication and leadership.

Personally, I decided that because I was located in the earlier part of the loop, our row of 10 students all stood shoulder to shoulder which allowed us to make sure we were not tangled. Also, I agreed with the idea of the girl who was counting, as it helped verify that all of us were standing sequentially and in line. We then tried to form a 90 degree corner and my number, which I felt helped at least align 25% percent of the square early on. Towards the end of the exercise, when the other entangled groups untangled, our formation came into line with theirs. I felt our approach in being patient also helped in allowed the other groups at the end of the numbering to untangle.

I think next time, I would have definitely placed more energy and been more vocal, even if I had experienced the event before, since there are multiple possible solutions. Or also, to try and experiment with leading a new solution, instead of letting others try and figure it out themselves by trial, frustration, and error.

I would say I was patient, there were many opportunities to move or go off in a different direction, but I thought our approach and patience as a small group paid off in the end.