Readin Summary

MBA 510 – 04

11/26/2011

Reading Synterps

#1 – Can you laugh at his Advice?

John Cleese is interviewed in this article and he talks about how successful organizations are run. Cleese states that you could be “talking about something serious and still be laughing.” I agree with Cleese on this statement and feel that this can be applied to just about anything in life. I believe in keeping things fun and it can be a great way to keep everyone involved on a group project/task. If everyone is having a good time, I think that people can be more productive and willing to go that extra mile on an assignment.

Cleese believes that laughter leads to creativity. He is not sure where creativity comes from but the point is to learn how to switch into a kind of thinking that allows mystery to happen. Some of the more creative ideas that come into my mind happen when I am laughing or in a good mood. Some of the more creative people I know are also very funny people.

Laughter also creates a feeling of confidence. Strong organizations are run on confidence and dysfunctional ones are run on fear. I feel that this type of atmosphere is created in an organization from the top. At my current job, my coworkers and I often give each other a hard time and joke around with one another. It is all in good fun and I feel it gives all of us confidence to speak our minds when something comes up and needs to be said.

#2 – Outward Bound for Inward Gains

• This article talks about the rise of outdoor training within corporations and its effectiveness.

• The author outlines 8 major reasons why the outdoor training model is considered effective. These include:

o Training takes place in a new, unfamiliar environment

o Participants feel completely disoriented

o A greater sense of humility is induced

o People become more open to learning

o Situations are designed to overcome personal limitations

o A sense of...