Social Systems

Social systems
coordinate
individuals so that they
can get things done.

6 types of social systems.
Partnership Group Team
Party Network Class

Partnership

Partnership
Reason: The partnership exists to unite 2 or more individuals in a
common effort. Where it’s believed that the combined effort is greater
than each member on his own.
+ =

Partnership
Organization: Each partner may have a set of responsibilities, and are
either equal or weighted.
Business Creative
Development Development

Partnership
Information Flow: Open between all members

Partnership
Participation: Each partner is expected to participate & add value or be
removed from the partnership.
Business Sitting
Development Around

Partnership
Participation: Each partner is expected to participate & add value or be
removed from the partnership.
X
Business Sitting
Development Around

Group

Group
Reason: A group is formed to unite several individuals with a common
interest.
Study Group: interested in history
1st year
2nd year
3rd year

Group
Organization: All members are equal

Group
Information Flow: Open between all members

Group
Participation: Each member is expected to contribute. The less a
member contributes, the more likely it is that the group will expel that
member.

Group
Participation: Each member is expected to contribute. The less a
member contributes, the more likely it is that the group will expel that
member.
X

The Leech
N
IO
T
U
A
C
Some ‘open’ groups do not actively monitor member contribution.
These groups are vulnerable to ‘leeches’; members who join to syphon
the groups result without adding any value.

Team

Team
Reason: Teams collect individuals with different skill sets to solve
problems.
Problem: How to get the
ball in the basketball net.

Team
Organization: Each member may have a specific roll; one member leads
the team.
Leader
Center
Forward Forward
Guard Guard
Problem: How to get the
ball in the basketball net.

Team
Information Flow: Open between all members, leader facilitates
communication.
Center
Forward Forward
Guard Guard
Problem: How to get the
ball in the basketball net.

Team
Participation: Each member is expected to contribute in a
predetermined way. If a member does not fulfill that roll; they will be
replaced.
Center
Forward Lazy
Guard Guard
Problem: How to get the
ball in the basketball net.

Team
Participation: Each member is expected to contribute in a
predetermined way. If a member does not fulfill that roll; they will be
replaced.
Center
Replacement
X
Forward Lazy
Guard Guard
Problem: How to get the
ball in the basketball net.

Party

Party
Reason: Parties exist to connect individuals with a common goals.
Members help each other to achieve the goals of the party.
Party at my
house

Party
Organization: Members elect a leader or leadership team.
At his house =
he’s the leader

Party
Information Flow: Top-down structure; leader communicates goals to
the party.
Here’s what you
need to bring

Party
Participation: Each member is expected to help the party move toward
achieving it’s goals. If a member is not contributing, the leader will
expel him.
Beer Snacks Music Friends Soda Forgot

Party
Participation: Each member is expected to help the party move toward
achieving it’s goals. If a member is not contributing, the leader will
expel him.
X
Beer Snacks Music Friends Soda Forgot

Network

Network
Reason: Networks coordinate groups as well as individuals. Networks
facilitate communication between multiple entities.

Network
Organization: Members are equal
= = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = =

Network
Information Flow: Open between networked members

Network
Participation: Members are not expected to contribute. The more a
member contributes, the more network connections will be made.
Doesn’t
Participates
Participate

Class

Class
Reason: The class exists to support individuals who have made a
specific achievement.
PHD PHD PHD PHD PHD PHD PHD
MD MD MD MD MD MD MD

Class
Organization: Members are equal
The members of the grey class are equal, but not equal to the red class

Class
Information Flow: Top-down via mentorship, or tenure.
10 years experience in red
class, allows him to enter white
class. He’ll help others in red
class to enter white class.

Class
Participation: Members of a class participate individually with a goal to
achieve the next class. If a member doesn’t participate he will remain
in his current class.

Knowing how social
systems work will help
you in two ways ...

You’ll know how to
participate to achieve
the best possible
result ...

And you’ll know which
type to create to best
coordinate individuals
for a specific situation