In a message dated 5/3/99 2:26:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time, earosch@home.com
writes:
>Specifically the idea of diffusion of responsibility. If someone is in
>trouble and a group of people are standing around, they tend to do
>nothing. This has been well studied. The theory is that responsibility
>diffuses across the group such that no individual feels it enough to step
>forward and intervene. If, on the other hand, one individual is picked
>out of the group: "You! Go call 911!", they will help.
>I wonder if an analogous situation occurs in committees and if the
>Diffusion of Responsibility theory is operative in that arena? >>
Ed,
That's a fascinating comment. For the same discovery two years ago I
dismantled all such committees at the church in which I serve. In time we
mobilized specific individuals with the right passion, skill, temperament
and "gifts*" sets to get he work accomplished.
Our youngest child came home from elementary school yesterday with the PTA
news letter. The lead article stated that the PTA will no longer exist.
Since the bureaucracy of the National PTA is slowing down the development
of the local school and not having a high enough return for their money.
Parents have reassembled themselves to get the job done.
For more on this field I suggest that you check out the field and studies
in volunteerism. In this field because there is no financial compensation
we must become masters of leveraging peoples internal motivators. Your
study of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as well as emotional & basic
needs (Imago) might help those of you who wish to learn more. * Gifts
refers to Spiritual Gifts referred to throughout the New Testament of the
Bible primarily in 1Corithians 12, but also in Romans Galatians and
Ephesians.
--GT1LIFE@aol.com Greg Troxell
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>