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Dealing With Problem Members
Students in classes and on mission trips often find themselves a part of a group or team
assigned to a specific task. In the classroom, such groups may digest case studies, discuss
textbook material and even prepare presentations to be given to the rest of the class. Those
groups have two dimensions: the assigned task and the interpersonal dynamics that nourish us
in all kinds of ways. Unfortunately, not all teams or groups work well. Groups may wind up
frustrated, stuck or squabbling. Some find it difficult to retain focus and motivation because
some people are preoccupied with their personal agendas. Groups may be troubled by lack of
cohesiveness, by cliques or by one-upmanship. Or, the behavior of one member can
sometimes drive all the other group members "up the wall."
With apologies to Snow White and her dwarf friends, here's a list of problem characters who
can damage work groups.
Busy
Busy can't make the meeting, no matter when it's scheduled. She says she's willing to
contribute, but she has a busy schedule and lots to do. So, she tells the group to carry on without
her. She will do her part, she says, as long as they let her know what that is.
Wily
Wily is an alibi artist. He has excuses for all the responsibilities he doesn't carry through on and
all the meetings he misses. Some suspect he's a bit of a conniver or con artist.
Smugly
Smugly doesn't much trust other people and their ability to do things the way she thinks they
ought to be done. So, she does everything herself. Whenever someone offers to help, she
smoothly puts them off: "It's no problem. Everything is under control. Not to worry." The less
others in the group are involved, the happier Smugly seems to be. Delegate is not a verb she
uses. No one knows whether Smugly acts the way she does because she is a perfectionist or
because she is an egomaniac.
Clock
Clock comes to meetings and participates, but he always has to leave early for some other
engagement
Quietly
Quietly comes to group meetings very well prepared, but she is so quiet that people often forget
she's there. Her ideas would really help the group, but unless someone calls on her, Quietly
doesn't say anything.
Absently
Nobody has seen hide nor hair of Absently. He isn't even coming to class anymore. He hasn't
tried to contact anybody else in the group. As project deadlines loom ahead, the other members
ask themselves: What should we do about Absently?
Slacky
Lacking motivation and initiative, this listless group member is a sloppy contributor at best. At
worst, he's dead weight.
Jokey
Jokey enjoys being with people. He's always there when the group gets together. Trouble is, he
gets the group off track. He cannot stay focused on task.
Whiney
No matter what she is asked to do, Whiney complains. She is an expert at finding clouds in
silver linings!
Wordy
Wordy monopolizes meetings. He has good ideas, but he talks and talks and talks. An outsider
observing the group would see Wordy doing eighty percent or more of the talking.
Bossy
Bossy definitely "contributes" to the group. His ideas are good and he's always ready to offer
them. However, Bossy doesn't listen to the ideas of others; he's an obnoxious jerk who forces
his solutions on the group. At the first meeting this know-it-all tries to take charge and push and
push until the group goes in the direction he thinks best (even though others in the group may
not agree). Bossy has no idea there's a difference between "being the boss" and leading
people.
Tardily
Tardily always shows up late. Sometimes she doesn't show at all. She never quite gets her
share of the work done on time. Even on the day her group has to do some kind of presentation
in front of an audience, Tardily will probably show up late.
Edgy
Edgy's negative attitude -- about what she's supposed to be doing at the moment, about group
project ideas, and even about life in general -- drags down group morale. Edgy can be a
temperamental terror.
Pokey
Pokey hasn't developed good brainstorming skills. Pokey doesn't listen real well and her
powers of discernment need honing. Groups find Pokey lagging behind when creative juices
are flowing.
Students in classes and on mission trips often find themselves a part of a group or team
assigned to a specific task. In the classroom, such groups may digest case studies, discuss
textbook material and even prepare presentations to be given to the rest of the class. Those
groups have two dimensions: the assigned task and the interpersonal dynamics that nourish us
in all kinds of ways. Unfortunately, not all teams or groups work well. Groups may wind up
frustrated, stuck or squabbling. Some find it difficult to retain focus and motivation because
some people are preoccupied with their personal agendas. Groups may be troubled by lack of
cohesiveness, by cliques or by one-upmanship. Or, the behavior of one member can
sometimes drive all the other group members "up the wall."
With apologies to Snow White and her dwarf friends, here's a list of problem characters who
can damage work groups.
Busy
Busy can't make the meeting, no matter when it's scheduled. She says she's willing to
contribute, but she has a busy schedule and lots to do. So, she tells the group to carry on without
her. She will do her part, she says, as long as they let her know what that is.
Wily
Wily is an alibi artist. He has excuses for all the responsibilities he doesn't carry through on and
all the meetings he misses. Some suspect he's a bit of a conniver or con artist.
Smugly
Smugly doesn't much trust other people and their ability to do things the way she thinks they
ought to be done. So, she does everything herself. Whenever someone offers to help, she
smoothly puts them off: "It's no problem. Everything is under control. Not to worry." The less
others in the group are involved, the happier Smugly seems to be. Delegate is not a verb she
uses. No one knows whether Smugly acts the way she does because she is a perfectionist or
because she is an egomaniac.
Clock
Clock comes to meetings and participates, but he always has to leave early for some other
engagement
Quietly
Quietly comes to group meetings very well prepared, but she is so quiet that people often forget
she's there. Her ideas would really help the group, but unless someone calls on her, Quietly
doesn't say anything.
Absently
Nobody has seen hide nor hair of Absently. He isn't even coming to class anymore. He hasn't
tried to contact anybody else in the group. As project deadlines loom ahead, the other members
ask themselves: What should we do about Absently?
Slacky
Lacking motivation and initiative, this listless group member is a sloppy contributor at best. At
worst, he's dead weight.
Jokey
Jokey enjoys being with people. He's always there when the group gets together. Trouble is, he
gets the group off track. He cannot stay focused on task.
Whiney
No matter what she is asked to do, Whiney complains. She is an expert at finding clouds in
silver linings!
Wordy
Wordy monopolizes meetings. He has good ideas, but he talks and talks and talks. An outsider
observing the group would see Wordy doing eighty percent or more of the talking.
Bossy
Bossy definitely "contributes" to the group. His ideas are good and he's always ready to offer
them. However, Bossy doesn't listen to the ideas of others; he's an obnoxious jerk who forces
his solutions on the group. At the first meeting this know-it-all tries to take charge and push and
push until the group goes in the direction he thinks best (even though others in the group may
not agree). Bossy has no idea there's a difference between "being the boss" and leading
people.
Tardily
Tardily always shows up late. Sometimes she doesn't show at all. She never quite gets her
share of the work done on time. Even on the day her group has to do some kind of presentation
in front of an audience, Tardily will probably show up late.
Edgy
Edgy's negative attitude -- about what she's supposed to be doing at the moment, about group
project ideas, and even about life in general -- drags down group morale. Edgy can be a
temperamental terror.
Pokey
Pokey hasn't developed good brainstorming skills. Pokey doesn't listen real well and her
powers of discernment need honing. Groups find Pokey lagging behind when creative juices
are flowing.
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