The Marshmallow Challenge

Group competition: The Marshmallow Challenge Step 1: Split into 4 groups Step 2: Each group will receive 20 sticks of spaghetti One meter of masking tape One meter of string One marshmallow Step 3: Build the tallest free standing tower

Marshmallow challenge: rules Height will be measured from the table top surface to top of marshmallow The entire marshmallow must be on top. Use as little or as much of the kit as you want, but no other items may be used. Time: 18 minutes. If you are touching the structure when time is called you are disqualified

What worked, what didn’t work and why? Debrief What worked, what didn’t work and why?

The marshmallow challenge: What can we learn Forces people to collaborate quickly and as a team

The marshmallow challenge: What can we learn Less successful teams Spend more time planning Have power struggles Less willing to get started quickly, fail and improve Let “Perfect being the enemy of the good”

The marshmallow challenge: What can we learn? Which of the teams do you think were successful? Business school graduates Kindergarteners CEOs CEOs + executive assistants

Why do kindergartners succeed? They try successive prototypes. If one fails they try again, if it works, they keep going.

Why do kindergartners succeed? They try successive prototypes. If one fails they try again, if it works, they keep going.

Why do teams with CEOs + executive assistants do well? A good example of how different people on a team bring unique skills and make the team stronger.

A lesson for coaches (or QI team leads) The successful teams did not need to be told how to build, just what the expectation was. Teams have common goal and decide how to build There are many different approaches to a successful structure, just as there are many approaches to a successful QI project. Encourage teams to try, refine, continue The successful teams were not told how to build, just what the expectation was. It’s important for coaches and leaders to make their team aware and supportive of a common goal (more on this in resistance) Expectation is to identify a gap using their data and work to improve Coaching can help identify when they are stuck and how to get them to move on Teams to decide how to build Which gap, what solution There are many different approaches to a successful structure, just as there are many approaches to a successful QI project.

Other take home lessons from the group?

References Tom Wujac, marshmallowchallenge.com/TED_Talk.html Tanveer Naseer (www.tanveernaseer.com) National Quality Center