Valley crossing is primarily a very interesting puzzle where
three men holding a pole over their shoulders have to cross a valley.
This is interesting simply because the three men have to
work with the highest amount of coordination and even a small amount of
misjudgement could lead to disastrous results.
The Puzzle
The valley is so wide that one cannot cross it in a single
step but it requires less than 2 steps.
As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. The above
picture is the epitome of this saying. As descriptive a it can get, the
predicament of the three men is quite obvious.
The Learning
Teamwork:
Just like in this puzzle, in real time
organizations teamwork is of utmost importance. As most mature organisations
are subdivided into departments and each department is divided into teams of
various kinds, it is of utmost importance for the organisation that the teams
work in harmony. Lack of team-spirit, not only hampers the performance of that
particular team but also the entire organisation.
Trust:
Trust is of utmost importance, be it in personal
relationships of professional ones. Lack of trust creates doubts and becomes a
major headwind for smooth flow of information.
Continuous
Communication:
Just like in this puzzle, in real life organisations rapid
and continuous flow of information in both directions is of utmost importance.
Neither the employees nor the managers should be kept in the dark about new
developments, however unsettling they may be.
Co-ordination:
In today’s fast moving world even a delay of few seconds
causes major losses. Perfect co-ordination between the numerous chains involved
ensures desired results.
Indeed this puzzle in itself is a management lesson of the
highest kind.
