Two ways of organizing, one is the search chain, where everybody holds hands and creates the chain together, the other is the “follow the leader” or expert situation where people form a line, walking after each other
Two kinds of organization?
Text and drawing by Frits Ahlefeldt
These two kinds of organizing are so close to each other, it could be the exact same people, in the same landscape, just turning 90 degrees, cha(i)nging several times between the two ways of organizing and moving forward as a group
motivation, situation and goal defined
I wonder what characterize each of them and how much both the situation and the landscape helps define what form is constructed.
Searching for a lost person or doing research, the search chain makes the best sense… But crossing a river in the best place, or getting quick to a located emergency, the walking in line might make the best sense.
Two different mindsets and strategies
Maybe our choice between forming a search chain and walking in line is also influenced by our culture and mindsets. What we are brought up to do, and what pattern we are most familiar with.
Two different kinds of trust
How much trust there is in the community and how sure we are of the knowledge and skills of the experts might also play a role. Following an expert, everybody puts their trust in following in each others footsteps.
But when creating a search chain, you need to trust that each member will keep the chain and do their best… trusting each one and the group as a whole.
Effects on our landscapes of understanding
The two different ways also have very different effects on the landscape, the search chain will disturb a fragile landscape a lot, in the situation. Why it is also used by hunters, chasing everything up and in front of them.
The walking in line will not disturb the landscape as much in the situation… But might have more long term effects, maybe even creating a visible trail of understanding, that can be seen (and followed) long time after.
Non texted version of my search chain vs walking in line drawing:
Keywords: art, landscapesofunderstanding, leadership, philosophy, experts, strategy, plan, motivation, psychology, mindset, community, conflicts
