Blog
Yurakucho House Holds First Monthly Gathering
2024-05-21
Introduction
In a dynamic blend of team-building, creativity, and problem-solving, Global Village Yurakucho House recently put on its first Monthly Gathering, hosting a unique workshop for Japanese and international students designed to foster cross-cultural collaboration. With Dr. Hirotaka Takeuchi, Chair of the ICU Board of Trustees, as a special guest speaker, the event centered around the Tower Building Workshop (also known as the Marshmallow Challenge), which challenged participants from diverse linguistic backgrounds to build not only towers but also connections and understanding.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration
To maximize the benefits of this team-building exercise, participants were evenly split into teams composed of both Japanese and English speakers. This setup encouraged communication and collaboration across cultural and linguistic barriers. By working together, participants not only improved their communication skills, but also gained insight into different cultural approaches to teamwork and problem-solving.
Tower Building Workshop
The centerpiece of the event was the Tower Building Workshop. Teams were tasked with constructing the tallest tower possible using spaghetti, tape, and string...with a marshmallow on top. This seemingly simple exercise tested participants' teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills, as they rushed to complete their towers within the 18-minute timeframe.
Key Lessons from the Challenge
This workshop has been replicated thousands of times with people from around the world, teaching us important lessons about teamwork and the creative process.
- Children vs. Adults: Interestingly, studies have shown that children often excel at this challenge more than adults. This is because children approach the task playfully and with a sense of experimentation, rather than getting bogged down in overplanning. Their ability to prototype quickly and adapt their design often leads to more successful outcomes.
- Prototyping and Play: The workshop also emphasizes the importance of prototyping and play. Rather than spending excessive time planning a single, perfect solution (which adults and managers are more prone to doing), successful teams engage in iterative testing and modification. This approach mirrors the principles of agile development and rapid prototyping in the business world, where quick iterations and adjustments are key to finding viable solutions.
Insights from Dr. Hirotaka Takeuchi
Dr. Hirotaka Takeuchi, Chair of the ICU Board of Trustees and former professor at Harvard Business School, was invited to the workshop as a special guest speaker. Dr. Takeuchi provided valuable insight into the lessons demonstrated by the challenge. He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation and learning from failure, explaining that he has conducted the same exercise with his own students at Harvard. Dr. Takeuchi also highlighted how these principles are reflective of problems faced by Japanese companies, which are prone to overplanning, over-analysis, and over-compliance.
Looking forward
The Monthly Gathering was more than just a team-building exercise; it was a rich learning experience that brought together participants from different cultural backgrounds to collaborate, innovate, and grow. By embracing the principles of cross-cultural communication, creativity, and teamwork, participants walked away with improved skills and a deeper understanding of the value of teamwork in achieving success. The insights shared by Dr. Takeuchi further reinforced the importance of these lessons, inspiring all to continue exploring and building in both their personal and professional lives. The next Monthly Gathering, scheduled for June 14, headlines an exciting lineup of Social Program events coming in June.
