It turns out the “marshmallow problem” is a challenge that can vex the most sophisticated of teams, while proving to be little challenge to a surprising team. It could also be an interesting and insightful exercise for credit unions seeking to do some team building.
The “marshmallow problem” is a a simple team-building exercise that involves dry spaghetti, one yard of tape and a marshmallow. Who can build the tallest tower with these ingredients? And why does a surprising group always beat the average?
In this TED Talk, Tom Wujec, a fellow at Autodesk, which makes design software for engineers, filmmakers, designers, shares what happens when people, many with advanced degrees and drawn from a wide swath of disciplines, take on the marshmallow challenge.
As a Fellow, Wujeck helps companies work in the emerging field of business visualization, the art of using images, sketches and infographics to help teams solve complex problems as a group.
He's the author of several books, including Five-Star Mind: Games and Puzzles to Stimulate Your Creativity and Imagination.
So what happens when teams take the marshmallow challenge? Wujec offers some answeres here.