Teamwork Metaphor: Cluster Ballooning
June 17, 2006
It's called "cluster balooning" and it's for those who've dreamed of being carried into the sky by a giant bouquet of colorful toy balloons.
The most famous cluster balloon flight took place in 1982. Larry Walters, with no prior ballooning experience, attached 42 helium weather balloons to a lawnchair, intending to go up a few hundred feet, but instead soaring to 16,000. Surprisingly, Walters survived his flight.
Cluster ballooning is a great metaphor for teamwork. One balloon all on it's own can't lift the person. It takes a "team" of balloons all moving in the same direction to successfully lift the person (the organization/business).
Reminds me of the group of small fish who organize themselves to protect themselves from the larger fish.
Reminds me of something I just saw the other day, http://www.flickr.com/photos/connykuilboer/2461301489
Find it a really positive image that reminds me that things can be done even if they seem impossible.
Posted by: John | May 04, 2008 at 02:26 AM