What a simply elegant exercise
 

There was a selection exercise they used for OSS operatives during WWII. The candidate was placed in charge and had two "helpers" under him. They were given a set of tinker toy-like objects and a schematic and told to build what was on the drawing. The catch was the candidate couldn't touch it, only give directions to the "helpers". And the "helpers" were instructed to be particularly unhelpful. One always had a better way and opposed the directions by the candidate. The other would do everything wrong. They would talk to themselves in a foreign language, etc.

I have been thinking about this a lot and I really like it. It teaches maintaining calm with increasing frustration levels. Good for working with indig. I also think it could be a valuable teaching tool for subordinates to get a taste of the burden of leadership without any real risk. Just have one of the "helpers" demonstrate the negative characteristics displayed by the person receiving the lesson.

As for the OSS, reportedly only one candidate ever got the thing built. A big Texan that apparently knocked the shit out of both the helpers as soon as they started their games. LOL

I like it!

Know any big Texans? ;)

Terry

Sounds like something I could use. Sometimes I want to strangle some of the lawyers who work for me. ;)

RL, Don't think so surgical - feel free to expand your horizons/similar target group!

I like that, as long as I'm never involved in the game/test.

I wish Col. A was around to comment further on this.

You can't take these Texas kids anywhere.

edited to add, " Bet the guys causing the trouble were engineers, you know, the forerunners of Geeks."

LOL -- I already hunt plaintiff's lawyers for a living. :lifter

Yeah, but do you have any 'trophies' on your wall? :D

I actually do have a few trophies, but not the kind you are thinking about. Copies of judgments and sanctions awards and such.

I have experience with a similar type test. In the one I did, you had to guide assembly of a widget to a helper who was blindfolded. While the frustration levels produced were not as high as I imagine they would be with the OSS task, the exercise did help you learn to be very precise in your instructions and to try to understand the problem set as the blindfolded person understood it.

Sorry, only heads count (scalps receive a 'good effort--maybe next time' credit).

NDD, isn't this test commonly referred to as 'parenthood'? :)

Dude, be a man and tell her to stay out of the room when you're putting something together. Except when she's bringing another beer. :rolleyes:

:D

(Just kidding, honey! ;) )

Are you kidding? She's watching my back for ambush when I'm try to work with the mutinous little savages. :)

RL, I am very disappointed. No eagle feathers for the ego wall? :D

LOL
I am with you Razor... my 18 mos twins perform this exercise on me daily. This would be no different than the battle I face every night after work. Try feeding and trying to teach twin monsters to feed themselves... of course, the hard part is completing the task without having to get out the pressure washer for the kitchen afterwards. :D