The Flying Starship simulation is one of the most powerful and memorable learning experiences of a rather long life!
I was an employee of an organization running it back in the early 90s as part of process improvement initiative in the company. While we were a business services organization with no manufacturing to speak of, adopting the roles of assemblers, folders and painters was easy for our teams as the work was something everyone can relate to. What struck me immediately in the experience was that while we felt we were doing a good job, I personally saw right away there were things we could do differently to improve quality and quantity of production.
I was excited to share my ideas and frustrated initially at how my team implemented others ideas instead. In the second production run when we used the new ideas, I realized why! I could clearly see that my colleagues' ideas where better than mine. Just like life, until you actually experience something it can be hard to understand it. It made such an impact on me to stop and listen to others and consider different view points that I remember to this day. I think this simulation proves the importance of solid human interaction skills are necessary in order to make any process improvement.
Research shows that simulations, like real-life experiences, are more effective than conventional learning methods to teach abstract concepts. Simulations help students understand (by experience) the time and decision based conditions in a way a lecture can only mention. For instance, “group think” can be taught but not deeply understood until one experiences it. The challenge with simulations is that they can be complex and expensive. Unlike simulations with intricate parts, large board-games or complex roles to play, Flying Starship's clear and simple design using paper that is cut and folded teaches that inclusive teams will outperform isolated individuals and that open communication and shared goals foster innovation.
The Flying Starship workshop offered a hands-on experience that vividly demonstrated the profound impact a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and innovation can have on a company's bottom line. It was truly a transformative experience for all participants. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone seeking to strengthen team dynamics and foster leadership development.
I recently became certified as a facilitator for "The Flying Starship". I had a pretty good idea on how the simulation worked, but experiencing it as a participant was still a surprise.
The frustration that I felt during the "Control and Command" part of the workshop was real. I was working without being able to confirm with a manager that my work was adequate . I felt that my colleagues were not focusing on what they needed to, and since we were not allowed to speak to each other, there was no way that I could voice my opinions. But all that rumination ended once the team was able to debrief and trouble-shoot the areas of concern. What I really appreciated was the aspect that we could approach these problems anyway we wanted, no holds barred!
It's a very emotional simulation and I love that about it. Soft skills programming isn't just about learning how to play nice with others, it taps into how we as humans feel and what needs to change to ensure that our workforces are happy, productive, and engaged.
Loved it!