Valley Crossing by 3 Idiots: An illustration of Team Work

We have been discussing about the valley crossing in our lecture classes for quite some time. There are organizational lessons to be learned from the valley crossing. The first thing which comes to my mind is team work.A team of 3 members had to switch over from left side of the valley to the right side of the valley by taking the support of the pole, this exercise wasn’t exactly done in the way as shown in the cartoon but the most important managerial concept was explained with the help of this exercise.

So, how does the team of three cross a valley that is wider than a step and narrower than 2 steps put together? Answer: Step by Step. From the picture on top, when the first person sets foot on the valley he is at half risk. Why so? Well, one of his steps is in air and the other on land and the next step takes him to the full risk stage with both feet in the air. While the first person is at risk, the other two persons behind him cover up and ride the proverbial tide. The same sequence is followed till all the three cross over from one side to the other completely. It is a trivial march past of sorts, if you come to imagine it that way. Don't believe me? A summary of the step by step analysis is shown in the table below. Let me tell you that this is something you can definitely try at home! But, what is so special about it all?

Persons	First Person	Second Person	Third person
Step
1	Safe	Safe	Safe
2	Half Risky
3	Full Risky
4	Half Risky	Half Risky
5		Full Risky
6		Half Risky	Half Risky
7			Full Risky
8			Half Risky
9	Safe	Safe	Safe

Forget about "Two states" because the above table has four of them described below:
•    Safe - Both the legs of the person are on land
•    Half Risky - One leg in the air and the other leg on land
•    Full risky - Both the legs are in the air without any support
•    Safe - Both the legs have full support
In the exercise, each member has the same sum total of total tasks, burdens and responsibilities with the functioning of the organization independent of the physical ability of a single team member. Again, an ideal scenario! Not every member in the team would take the initiative to go first and not everyone in the team would be upbeat about following anyone else. Yet, the show has to run and the team has to do its job and this is where a manager comes in.                           

Imagine yourself being one in that team of three. Where would you like to be in positionally? Well, in any case just a mere thought should tell you that the person leading the queue is leading from the front and bears the brunt of the risk in terms of conquering something new or overcoming the fear of the unknown. However, if he gives up after he himself has crossed the valley, then the team would fail in its objective to cross the valley together. Hence, the leader or Discoverer has to compromise on his self goal and lead the two followers across. Now, wouldn't it be ideal if each role in an organization can be crafted as in the above case with similar risks borne by everyone and expect everyone else to follow the Discoverer thereby satisfying every employee?

Well, we certainly cannot have an organization designed to satisfy every employee but we surely can have a design and fit employees into the roles designed such that the fit is appropriate and correct. Pretty much like fitting shoes to one’s feet! Of course, one’s feet to change in size or form. But, one cannot expect the shoe to change itself to fit our feet again!
                               
                     

Lessons Learnt :

1. Structuring the Task :
•    Role A = Role B = Role C : All roles are equal and there is no differenciation between the responsibilities of any two persons.
•    For all the 3 members, the task is designed to be - Easy, Lighter, Clear and Systematic
•    All three are equally responsible in their contributions for the overall task completion.
2. Structuring Team Roles :
•    Roles of all three members are similar but not same; and equivalent in terms of total effort & risk.
•    All 3 member Roles have equal distribution of
•    Risky situations (1);
•    Half risky situations (2);
•    No risk situations (2)
•    All roles are designed for equally strong persons and there is no weaker or stronger requirement in any specific role.
•    Communication and feedback across the 3 members was instantaneous.
•    Interdependence among the 3 members was maximised and made crucial.
The roles are interlocking, with highest levels of interaction among the members, with instantaneous feedback being exchange and without any scope for social loafing.

3. Preparation and Execution :

All the 3  members are systematically trained for all the steps and, while crossing, they communicate and coordinate with each other through a various kinds of sounds and other signals.

4. Team Excellence :

Team excellence comes through proper designing of team tasks, correctly assigning team roles, and preparation and execution of the tasks. Thus, excellence is designed by the managers.