Comments on: The Parable of the Monkeys

By: Ryan Tracey

Ryan Tracey — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:17:45 +0000

That’s a good article pg, thanks for sharing it.

By: pgharvey

pgharvey — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:42:52 +0000

Some comment on the research here:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/games-primates-play/201203/what-monkeys-can-teach-us-about-human-behavior-facts-fiction

The article explains there was an experiment similar to the parable but the results are questionable.

That doesn’t necessarily invalidate thinking about the behaviours described, I’ve seen plenty of organisations and individuals behave in this way.

By: Ryan Tracey

Ryan Tracey — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:31:21 +0000

Thanks Barry. Yes, we need to match our activities as L&D professionals to the needs of our target audience. For example, everyone’s talking about using iPads for learning, but that doesn’t mean our audience wants to use their iPads for learning!

Of course we should encourage and support our colleagues to explore new tools and approaches in the digital age, but that must be balanced with their desire to do so.

Everyone will have their favourite ways of learning, whether it’s cutting edge or old fashioned. For those who want to pursue m-learning, let’s help them. For those who aren’t interested, no worries – let’s work out what else we can do for them.

By: Barry Ong

Barry Ong — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:25:21 +0000

Hi Ryan,
Your parable on the Monkeys represented one of the biggest issue in most organization. Many a times when I asked the question “why are you doing this”, I’m certain to get the most frustrating reply “ because we have been doing this way all along”. I guess this got to do with laissez-faire attitude from poor management concept “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”.
With regard to the m-learning, I do agreed it about time we take a serious look in this arena. New mobile devices are rolling out like hot cakes after the Iphone and Ipad phenomenon. Users are now familiar with the mobile networking skills, creating a mature market for m-learning. However, the concern point, are learners willing to change their learning habit. Will they become the monkeys in your parable?

Barry
http://rutraining.wordpress.com/

By: Ryan Tracey

Ryan Tracey — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:03:08 +0000

LOL! Cheers Tom.

By: Tom Crouser

Tom Crouser — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:28:52 +0000

Great article, Ryan! The monkey parable is a great representation of how groups sometimes get stuck in a certain way of doing things and fail to break routines to become a high performing team. My takeaway: stay out of the monkey business and get an elephant (they appreciate peanuts).

By: Annabel Candy, Successful Blogging

Annabel Candy, Successful Blogging — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:28:22 +0000

Hi Ryan, it sounds as if it could be true like Pavlov’s dogs:)Great story and way to show how and why we get stuck in our ways and why we need to resist that at all costs:)

By: Ryan Tracey

Ryan Tracey — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:19:44 +0000

Yes, the union of monkeys was involved. Its primary concern was that its members were being paid peanuts.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:35:32 +0000

I’m wondering why the monkeys didn’t try and shift the ladder and get out of the way of most of the water. Or, not try and throw the ladder at the bananas to drop them. And since monkeys swim then why were they so freaked at the water? Not hungry enough? All these questions and more…. is there a union of monkeys? Was PETA involved? I know you made a point about the monkeys but I’m stuck in the room and can’t get there yet :))

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:32:28 +0000

Interesting parable.