Groups provide advantages like quick detection of predators and improved defense. Research found that mosquito fish make wiser decisions in larger groups than smaller groups. This provides insights for corporate teams - teams can accomplish tasks and make better decisions than individuals. Being part of diverse teams allows people to learn different skills and perspectives to handle future challenges. HR should focus on interacting with and learning from different departments rather than just policies. Larger groups provide more opportunities for learning and developing wisdom than smaller groups, as seen in mosquito fish. People should fully involve themselves in teamwork to gain these benefits.

1. Being in a group is always known to offer several advantages and that is why most
animals prefer to be in groups such as pride, herd, troop, pack, flock, swarm, school
etc.
The possibility of quick sensing of the predator and likely defense due to large
number of members in a group are some of the advantages the animals could enjoy
when they prefer to live in groups. That is the reason why most animals including
man prefer to live in social groups, colonies etc.
Research studies have proved beyond all the above reasons that are known to us.
The mosquito fish (Gambusia spp.,) become more wise and quick in making right
decisions when they are in larger group than in smaller groups. This is the recent
research finding.
The above finding provides an important management message to the corporate
world. It is not only the task people can accomplish when they work as team but
they also become wiser in making right decisions, if they work as team.
From team, people can learn about the behavioural idiosyncrasies different
members, their expertise, attitude, intent and expectations, their style of functioning
etc. Only if such variety and variables in the behaviour of people are available,
people can develop and sharpen the skill and intelligence that is required to meet
the future challenges of the organization.
The HR function instead of wasting their time in preparing different policies,
appraisal schemes etc., must interact with people in different departments and
become part of every team. Like how the mosquito fish become wiser if it is bigger
team than in small group, the leaders and HR function also will get several insight if
they become part of every team by being with them besides questioning and
appraise them. Only with such learning right HR culture can be created.
The above research finding of mosquito fish also provides another insight to the
solitary performers in corporate. Learning and perfection comes not from isolation
but only from being in groups and teams.
Look at the example of Gambusia. Members of Gambusia from bigger group take
wiser decisions quickly than those in pairs or in small groups.
From large group, each member is likely to get enormous insight, impulses and
perspectives to evolve a right decision whereas such scope is limited for members in
smaller groups.
This is possible not when one is in a group but only when one is fully involved in
team effort, respect every member of the team and willing to work as team and
learn from it. The Gambusia fishes appear to follow the above principle in letter and
spirit.

2. Please learn to follow the tenets of team. Never loose the chance to work in large
team as well because your learning and wisdom from such large team will be quite
high.
Dr S Ranganathan
ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai
Desire, Dream and Destination – Social Entrepreneur Forum