Posted by Dr. Bob on October 24, 2004, at 22:17:28
In reply to Dr. Bob, posted by alesta on October 24, 2004, at 2:42:47
> what is the point of this "Admin" site other than watching us rip each other to shreds? Do you not have confidence in your own ability to administrate?
Good question, the introduction says the point is discussion of the administration. And I guess the point of that is for me to clarify policies, for you all to give me feedback, and for improvements to be made.
I have some degree of confidence, but that doesn't mean I can think of everything!
> Your at times unfair civility guidelines are not nearly as hurtful as the battle over them. (It's the "discussions" that do all the damage.) All this battling needs to end.
I still think that getting in the way of our task here are "fight-flight" group dynamics. Some more discussion:
> You know a group is in productive work mode when you see people consciously participating and cooperating towards task achievement...
>
> The basic assumption mode is just the opposite. We call it a “basic assumption” because the group makes an assumption about leadership but its purpose is hidden and unconscious. [One possible] hidden, unspoken assumption of the group is that...
>
> The group has come together not to do a task, but for the purpose of fighting or running away from the leader—it’s fight-flight...
>
> In fight-flight, the leader is seen (unconsciously) as the enemy, opposed to the preservation of the group. Doing real work is ignored; the task is to win, or avoid losing. The behavior of the group is anger and hostility towards other groups or the leader. It is either expressed (they get mad and fight) or covert (they withdraw in anger.) ...
>
> Fight-flight occurs most frequently in workplaces where responsibility keeps shifting back and forth between management and the group. We call this back-and-forth dynamic the “mixed mode,” as the structure of the workplace is a mixture of autocratic management direction and work group autonomy. It is common in organizations caught in transition between a bureaucratic and democratic structure.http://www.peopleincharge.org/groupdynamics.htm
So can we move from fight-flight back to cooperation? Would a more democratic structure help?
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:406546
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20041012/msgs/406827.html