Re: [Paddlewise] Dictatorship of the Timid (was Slow Paddlers (was Group Dynamics (was Gender Defender (was KP))))

I've been following this thread that has veered greatly from the gender
defenses to general group dynamics with a lot of interest. I'm leaving
tomorrow morning for a two week trip I'm leading in Notre Dame Bay,
Newfoundland with two others.

Matt took issue with the "weakest member decides" point of view, and
appropriately so. On the other hand, an autocratic approach doesn't work for
every situation either. There really is no black and white on this, but many
shades of gray depending on the situation.

What is really necessary is to work out expectations for how leadership is
going to work and how decisions are going to be made, on land, before the
paddle or before the expedition. The right style - directive, autocratic,
collaberative, etc. is completely dependent on the variables of group size,
paddling abilities, individual personalities and goals (e.g., speed vs.
smell the roses), and conditions. Collaberative decision making (including
weakest member decides) can be great where the time is available to make a
decision (e.g., more challenging rather than less challenging route, whether
to brave the elements at all if they're marginal, etc.) As Matt said, it
doesn't work worth a darn when decisions have to be made fast. An additional
problem with the "weakest member decides" style is that group dynamics
(Storm Island?) sometimes draw weaker members into supporting an
inappropriate collaberative decision because they don't want to look bad,
hold up the group, etc. Sometimes the result is that the entire group
doesn't get to experience something worthwhile because of the fears of one
member. I've been in situations where a person's unwillingness to try
something new/challenging kept them and the group from a learning experience
that all could really have handled. Sometimes, it takes a more directive
approach to make a decision (based on a gread deal of knowledge, experience,
and observation) that is against the desires of the "weaker" individual.
There's obviously a lot of psychology that goes into having a group work
well together.

What seemed to work for the La Nina expedition, was that they conciously
worked out how these group dynamics were going to be handled - before the
trip and at various times during the trip. It seemed that each of them were
sufficiently secure in themselves, to be honest about their capabilities and
would probably have accepted the "do it my way - right now!" type of
decision when or if that was necessary rather than argue about it and waste
time.

As my little group (I've paddled with both of my partners quite a bit,
expedition style with one, day paddles with the other) heads out, we'll be
working out as best as possible - in advance - how we'll handle these
questions. Thanks to everyone for their comments on the thread and reminding
me not to forget to address this important issue.

Roger Voeller




----- Original Message -----
From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
To: Paddlewise <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 3:20 AM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Dictatorship of the Timid (was Slow Paddlers (was
Group Dynamics (was Gender Defender (was KP))))


> I don't think I can do that, unless, of course, Doug tows me ;-)
>
> This "weakest member decides" approach is fine on land. The timid or
nervous
> can just refuse to paddle and stay put. The group can then either split or
> wait depending on the situation and available transportation, etc.
Although,
> a slower paddler should never be left behind, once on the water they
should
> not be in charge either. On the water this "weakest member decides"
approach
> runs into serious trouble unless the weakest member also happens to be the
> most experienced and prudent. Rarely the case. Often the prudent thing to
do
> is to somehow make the slowest paddler speed up. The group doesn't need to
> spend any longer at risk than necessary if the weather, sea conditions or
> daylight are deteriorating. Arguing about what to do will just delay
things
> further when the group should have been on their way already. There is a
> reason why ships aren't run democratically (much less by the new cabin
boy).
> If you have the time and are in a safe location and are unhurried teaching
> the slower paddler some better more efficient paddling techniques might
help
> (especially later in a longer trip). Usually there is no time to do that
> when danger is threatening. What if the timid paddler becomes frightened
and
> starts to freeze up. Should they then order the group to sit out there
with
> them in the face of the approaching gale and tide change while the
> frightened paddler rests up and tries to get their heart rate down. No,
> somebody with experience has to step in and say "Here's the reality. We
can
> all stay here with Bruce and buck him up and try to encourage him (or
plead
> with him to let us all paddle again) or we can have Bull here tow him and
if
> anyone can't keep up with Bull and Bruce I'm gonna tow them". "But I don't
> want to be towed" says Dan, "I can get there on my own just not as fast as
> you guys". At this point what is sorely needed is a previously agreed upon
> leader whose word is law. "No Dave, that puts the whole group at risk and
we
> are not going to let you fall behind, whoever can't keep up will be towed
to
> increase the groups speed whether they like it or not".  "Even though
Bruce
> is being towed he will still need to be paddling as fast as he can go. He
> can't lessen his effort, the goal is to increase the groups overall speed
in
> making it to safety and everyone needs to do their part to reach that goal
> to the very best of their abilities. Let's get going."  If Dave refuses a
> tow clip into his bow and tow him anyway. If he gets his back up and
starts
> back paddling or refuses to paddle at all to help (even though he is able)
> the option is then open to cut him loose and leave him on his own (and let
> him die, if that's what happens to him, with a clear conscience). Keel
> hauling would waste too much time and a kayak doesn't have a brig.
>
> Matt Broze
> http://www.marinerkayaks.com
>
>
>
>
***************************************************************************
> PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and
not
> to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
> Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
> Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
> Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
>
***************************************************************************


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************