Margaret Heffernan: Why it's time to forget the pecking order at work

Summary

In this talk, the speaker discusses the counterproductive nature of the 'superchicken' model, where individual success comes at the expense of others. Instead, they advocate for a collaborative approach to work, citing MIT research that found successful groups are built on empathy, equal participation, and diversity. Real-world examples illustrate how fostering social capital and interdependence leads to more innovative and resilient organizations.

Takeaways

• 🐔 **Productivity Paradox**: William Muir's chicken study showed that focusing solely on individual productivity can lead to a decrease in overall group success.
• 🤝 **Social Sensitivity**: High-achieving groups exhibit high degrees of social sensitivity, as measured by the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test.
• 🗣️ **Equal Participation**: Successful teams ensure that everyone gets a fair share of speaking time, avoiding dominance by a few and preventing inactivity by others.
• 👥 **Gender Balance**: Groups with more women tend to be more successful, possibly due to higher empathy or diverse perspectives.
• 🌐 **Social Connectedness**: The success of groups is significantly influenced by the social bonds and interdependencies among members.
• 🚀 **Helpfulness Over Intelligence**: In successful teams, helpfulness is more critical than individual intelligence, as it fosters an environment of collaboration.
• 🌱 **Cultivating Social Capital**: Social capital, built on trust and interdependency, is essential for a company's momentum and robustness.
• ⏰ **Time Builds Value**: Teams that work together over time develop stronger social capital, leading to improved performance and innovation.
• 💡 **Ideas Emerge Through Collaboration**: Great ideas are not born fully formed but evolve through the contributions and challenges of a collaborative environment.
• 🌟 **Collaboration Over Competition**: Long-term success is more likely with outstanding collaborators rather than short-lived superstars.
• 🔧 **Leadership as an Enabler**: Effective leadership involves creating conditions that allow everyone to contribute their best ideas and work collectively.

Q & A

Who conducted the chicken productivity experiment?

The chicken productivity experiment was conducted by William Muir, an evolutionary biologist at Purdue University.

What was the outcome of the chicken experiment after six generations?

After six generations, the average group of chickens was doing fine, with increased egg production, while all but three of the 'superchickens' were dead, having pecked the rest to death.

What did William Muir's experiment suggest about productivity?

The experiment suggested that individual productivity can come at the cost of suppressing the productivity of others, leading to aggression and dysfunction within a group.

What is the relevance of the 'superchicken' story to organizations and societies?

The 'superchicken' story is relevant to organizations and societies as it illustrates the pitfalls of focusing solely on individual productivity and competition, which can lead to a toxic and unproductive environment.

What did the MIT study find about successful groups?

The MIT study found that successful groups had three characteristics: high degrees of social sensitivity, equal time given to each member, and a higher number of women.

What is the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and how does it relate to successful groups?

The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test is a measure of empathy, and groups that scored highly on this test were more successful, indicating that social sensitivity is key to group success.

How does the concept of 'helpfulness' contribute to team success?

Helpfulness contributes to team success by fostering an environment where members can readily ask for and provide assistance, leading to better problem-solving and overall performance.

What is the term for the collective restoration Swedes practice during coffee breaks?

The term for the collective restoration Swedes practice is 'fika,' which is more than just a coffee break and involves socializing and restoring together.

What is social capital and how does it impact a company?

Social capital refers to the reliance and interdependency that builds trust within a group. It impacts a company by providing momentum and robustness, as teams that work together longer become better through trust and open communication.

How did synchronizing coffee breaks at one company affect its profits and employee satisfaction?

Synchronizing coffee breaks led to a 15 million dollar increase in profits and a 10 percent increase in employee satisfaction, highlighting the value of social capital.

What role does leadership play in creating an environment for courageous thinking?

Leadership should redefine itself to create conditions where everyone can do their most courageous thinking together, rather than being heroic soloists.