Animanimals: Ant Video, Filmbilder & Friends Channel, published on YouTube on July 13, 2018.
Link: https://youtu.be/pCxY70kPDnM?feature=shared
I discovered this video through my son’s philosophy teacher, and I loved it! It provides important reflections on routine management and innovation.
Excellent video for children and adults! Here are the discussions that the video raises:
- Certain activities effectively need to follow a repetitive and sequenced work process, with people collectively striving to achieve results. In these cases where routine is inevitable, is it possible to make it more efficient and fun at the same time?
- The boss ant noticed that the little ant was trying to act differently and insisted that the “production line” not stop. Could the boss have asked themselves why the little ant was not following the routine?
- To implement innovations in a process, we need to interrupt work for a while, allowing employees to explore the many possibilities of that routine and optimize it. By carrying out this exploration at the same time as the execution, the little ant hindered everyone’s performance and even hurt some colleagues. Did the little ant talk to their colleagues and boss beforehand, proposing a time to explore the possibilities and review those processes?
- The little ant used the existing infrastructure in the place creatively, seeing unusual uses for the objects in its surroundings. For example, it used a mushroom to jump and a leaf to fly. Is it possible to achieve better results with the existing resources?
- To improve our routine, we must make some additional efforts. The little ant needed to dig a hole and move the mushroom to set up that trampoline. This happens to us, for example, when we stop activities to take a course or learn new software. However, this time will be rewarded soon after. Are we multiplying and saving our future time by investing in training and innovation today?
- Some tasks that were previously done individually have been replaced by collective work, such as jumping into the water to create a wave and thus watering the tree more quickly and abundantly with less effort. Are the individual and collective tasks correctly distributed in the process?
- The little ant noticed that the leaf was flying and risked embarking on that flight. Every change implies some degree of risk. Are we correctly assessing the risks involved in our work before making our decisions?
- When they learned a new way of doing things, the little ant led their colleagues and transmitted this information, showing the way. In doing so, it helped themselves and the group. Now, each little ant can carry an entire leaf (and not just a piece), doing so much faster. Have we shared knowledge with our colleagues and led by example?
- The boss gets their hands dirty and picks the leaves, giving them to the little ants and speeding up the process. Does the leadership simply give orders, or does it roll up its sleeves and work on the front line with the group when appropriate?
- Ultimately, the boss and their colleagues were not jealous or angry with the little explorer. On the contrary, they embraced the innovations, making everyone’s work routine more productive and engaging!
Notes
Image: Screenshot from Ant video.
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Published on my blog in Portuguese on June 4th, 2022: Gestão de processos repetitivos e inovação
