When I was 12 I played netball with a group of girls. We had been on the same team three seasons in a row, since we were all the same skill level and our birthdays were all in the same half of the year. Our last season together we were undefeated, coasting through our games, scarcely challenged.

I’m not idly boasting for the sake of it, I bring this up because by the end of our time together we had achieved the principle our readings based themselves around for this week: flow.

At any point in any match I could have told you where each girl would be. We threw our passes to where people would be, rather than where they were. You could almost feel the moment we slipped into this state, forgoing thought and relying on our own expertise and the expertise of our team mates to achieve our goal.

Keith Sawyer described this state in relation to jazz musicians and theatre improv groups, where the contributions were more intellectual, and went on to describe the necessary attributes of group flow; a clear goal, close listening, complete concentration, being in control, blending egos, equal participation, familiarity, communication, moving it forward and the potential for failure.

Reading this article I could instantaneously identify reasons why I haven’t achieved group flow since then. Everyone has experienced the feeling of disappointment when groups for projects are being assigned and you get put with the class dunce. I certainly had, mostly because until recently I had an inflated ego and a superiority complex.

Group Flow requires all participants to be on the same level, to respect the talents and skills of their peers and trust them to do their part.

It also requires low level management that allows each participant space for innovation, which I certainly never allowed as a micro-manager of many a group project.

By recognising the necessary attributes of group flow and the ways I fall short in regards to them I’m hoping to once again obtain that state with the collaborative groups I form here.