Group Flow - Developing Creative Solutions

Group Flow http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_mel_brooks_can_teach_us_about_group_flow/?utm_source=GG+Newsletter+-+January+2012&utm_campaign=GG+Newsletter+-+January+2012&utm_medium=email …Indeed, group flow is important for all of us, because so many of our personal and professional activities are spent in groups, and we all want these groups to be more effective and more fun—whether they’re a sports team, a business meeting, a non-profit board, a PTA, or a boy scout troop. Decades of scientific research have revealed that great creativity almost always springs from collaboration, conversation, and social networks—challenging our mythical image of the isolated genius. And research shows that when a group is in flow, it’s more likely to resolve problems with surprising and creative solutions.…

First and most importantly, they’re doing something where their skills match the challenge of the task. If the challenge is too great for their skills, they get frustrated; if the task isn’t challenging enough, they simply get bored.

Second, flow occurs when the goal is clear, and third, when there’s constant and immediate feedback about how close you are to achieving that goal.

Fourth, flow occurs when you’re free to fully concentrate on the task.

Building on this research, I found that group flow requires conditions that overlap with and go beyond these four. Here are the 10 factors I identified for group flow.

1. The group’s goal

2. Close listening

3. Keep it moving forward

4. Complete concentration

5. Being in control

6. Blending egos

7. Equal participation

8. Familiarity

9. Communication

10. The potential for failure