Introduction
Leading Change: What You Can Count On
Debriefing and Processing
References and Sources
Can Do Leadership Initiative Activity
Change Initiative Activity
Systems Initiative Activity
Zin Obelisk Activity

Systems Initiative

Objective:
To make a 4 x 4 human grid where 16 different items (which the people are wearing) are organized in four rows of four so that the same shape item or same color item does not appear in any row going vertically or horizontally.

Equipment:

• Blue lei with object (e.g., zebra or football) hanging from it
• Blue lei with object (e.g., elephant or soccer ball) hanging from it
• Blue lei with object (e.g., giraffe or basketball) hanging from it
• Blue lei with object (e.g., lion or baseball) hanging from it
• 4 red leis with same four objects
• 4 yellow leis with same four objects
• 4 orange leis with same four objects

Rules:

• The colored leis with attached objects must be worn by the participants for the first 10 to 15 minutes of the initiative. After this period the leis maybe taken off and placed on the ground.
• Participants may not use pencil and paper (at least not during the first 15 minutes).
• If anyone has done this activity before and knows the solution, ask them to be mute or to serve as a process observer.

Variations:
If there are more that 16 participants, create shared positions or use the extra participants as process observers. Both individuals of a shared position must remain in contact with the lei. Do not let process observers offer solutions. During the second 15 minutes, you might allow them to ask questions but do not allow them to offer solutions.

Heads up tips:

• This initiative is an excellent challenge but is abstract and can be very frustrating. After 15 minutes of struggle, you may want to step in as a coach and start asking some probing questions. Do not give them the answer but challenge them to think systematically and to begin solving the problem a bit at a time.
• If the frustration gets too high allow them to take a break and to step away from it for 5 to 10 minutes; you would be amazed at what this short break will do for the group.
• Before you start this initiative with a group, make sure you know one of the solutions!

Solution:

Processing Suggestions:

• What?
• What were participants most concerned about when they were wearing the leis?
• What changed after they took the leis off?
• Who assumed a leadership role? When?
• Who checked-out when the problem became frustrating? Why?
• How did the group communicate? Over-communicate? Under-communicate?
• Who maintained the emotional climate of the team?
• So What?
• What did the group learn about systems thinking and solving systems problems?
• What did the group learn about leadership? Followership? Roles?
• Now What?
• Can you apply what you learned to your personal/professional life?