The Leaning Tower of Spaghetti
The task was on the surface simple and direct. We were instructed to design an erect object through the use of 20 pieces of spaghetti, tape, some string, and a marshmallow, which had to sit atop the structure. This was all to be completed in approximately 10 minutes time. Altogether, a rather vexing and disconcerting task! Hence, we commenced our preparations and dutifully engaged with onerous toil on the assignment before us. At moments interspersed throughout the activity, I took brief pauses of respite to gather my thoughts and think carefully about what I was to do next. I could detect a palpable sense of urgency in my groupmates, as the clock seemed to tick faster by the minute. We decided after hastened deliberation that the best method of attack was to use tape to secure joists of spaghetti together, elongated and overlapping, and subsequently use the thread to focus the structure into a concentric point, all while surmounting the marshmallow on top. Superficially, it did not seem that complicated. But practically? It called for an adept and shrewd thought process. We had a plan in mind, and we pursued this with an ardor akin to that of the most focused laborer.
As the pieces were beginning to fall into place, I could feel incipient jubilation welling up inside me, but I restrained myself until the task was done; I would not allow myself to be swayed by premature celebration. We were as a cohesive unit in a task fit appropriately to each of our specifications. I operated the thread, J.D. the spaghetti, and Lindsay the tape. We were united in this charge, focused and pertinacious in the pursuit of our goal. However, this ordeal was not without its hiccups. There were many a failed attempt at linking the spaghetti together, and the tape was completely exhausted before the completion of the final product. Despite these mistakes, we were unrelenting and imperturbable, not stopping until the task was done. All of this was occurring through the simultaneous tumult of the other groups hard at work on their respective structures, offering innumerable instances for distraction from our activity. However, I was not swayed by these potential interactions, preferring to focus only on the expressions and articulations of my own groupmates.
Eventually, we were able to make some headway and developed a glorious, free-standing structure, albeit leaning. It was only at this moment that we began to pay attention to the surrounding uproar that was the rest of the lab. As we peered around the room, we were able to discern the competing structures, ominous and imposing, in the craft of our lab mates. At this point, J.D., with a most magisterial pronouncement, declared that we needed to make the structure taller. I immediately commenced internal monologue. Would the structure hold? Were we to add even more height to what was already perceived to be an unstable and uncertain mass? As I was about to interject and demur on his point, I looked at Lindsay, who was also nodding in agreement at this plan. It was then that I decided on siding with their idea. Would it not be an even more grand and picturesque an image, if we were to raise it even higher, thereby securing our victory? I will admit, victory was not our primary concern, despite being concomitant with the enjoyment of the task, but it would surely elevate our success and further ingrain in our minds a stronger sense of completion. Hence, we triumphantly chased after the elegance of victory!
When we finally finished the project, we looked at the leaning structure with admiration. It was finally done, the product of our toil and exacting precision. I took a moment to reflect and learn from my team members. It was undoubtedly thanks to their prowess that this formidable structure was able to stand on its own. There was something about their work ethic and drive that instilled in me a recurrent desire to do the same. I paused, took a look at them, and suddenly saw the excellence that I strive for each day. What an exciting and amazing time, to be working with such capable and visionary individuals!
Reader, have you been afforded the opportunity to interact with understanding and sagacious wit like that which I describe? Opportunities like this offer great personal advancement and the chance to grow and develop one’s own faculties effectively. In fact, I encourage you to take up complex and challenging tasks. The resulting development will only be to your benefit. Anyone who is a new member in an organization or group should force themselves outside their comfort zone in order to facilitate growth. The discomfort will be ephemeral. As for the learning and development? Immutable.
Fitsum Ayele is currently a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in management. He became a research assistant for the Interactive Measurement Group in Fall 2019. He is interested in Industrial Organizational psychology, which he plans to pursue in graduate school. Within the realm of I/O, his areas of research interest are focused on personnel selection and motivation. Ultimately, he wishes to use the principles of psychology applied to work to improve individual work lives.