Group Meeting Problems

Solving other problems

Clear objectives and procedures will steer a group around many obstacles, but they cannot protect a group from every decision making problem. An effective and democratic group will continue to experience some difficulties, but it will recognize, address, and sometimes (but not always) solve these problems. Keeping Meeting Short

One of the most notorious problems of group decision making is long meetings. When meetings last too long, group members become frustrated, impatient, and too tired or distracted to think clearly. If long meetings become typical for a group, members may begin to show up late or skip meetings. Long meetings can decrease group productivity by delaying decisions or causing members to male unwise

Groups can often shorten their meetings by limiting their meeting agendas Meeting time is precious, and groups should use it only for things that have to be done face-to-face as an assembled group. In general, meetings should be used only for building group cohesion, sharing important information and ideas, and reaching group decisions anything that can be done outside of meetings should be done elsewhere. Equality group commitment and involvement The sustainability of a small group depends on equal involvement and commitment among its members. Fining members for missing meetings or failing to pay dues may ensure full attendance and equal solutions contributions, but there is no simple way to make members put the same amount of energy into all of the group's activities. When the differences in individual member involvement become extreme, many thing can go wrong. The members who become most active may begin to dominate group meetings, and the knowledge and energy of the more active members may intimidate other members. The least involved members might begin to resent, envy, or fear a more involved member, and they may behave irresponsibly during meetings and feel less responsible for group

The leader can talk to uncommitted members to find out whether they believe in the group's basic goals and procedures, and it may be necessary for the group to reexamine these issues. Less committed members might also increase their involvement if they are given clearer and more specific tasks and responsibilities. Otherwise, it might be appropriate for uncommitted members to volunteer to leave the group. In talking with "over-involved" members, the leader might emphasize the long-term value of relatively equal member involvement. Resolving Group conflicts

Each culture has a unique understanding of conflict. Some cultures encourage open and emotional disputes, while others value strict politeness and very cautious disagreement. Every culture, though, makes a distinction between "productive" and "unproductive" conflict. Good conflicts are those that help the group understand difficult problems and choose among alternative solutions. Bad conflicts cause only confusion, bad decisions, hurt feelings, anger (and possibly violence), and the breakup of the group.

The best approach to destructive conflict is to prevent it from happening. To do this, encourage the group to devote some of its time to building friendships and group cohesion by working together, playing games, telling stories, and sharing other common