2. Power Seeking
Power seeking is another problems
small groups face all the time. Many people in groups are very envious
of the leader of the group and feel that they could do a better job or
disagree with the decisions that the leader had made in the past.
Power seeking is usually between the leader and someone else in the group
that holds a powerful position.
Power seeking is the attempt of
a member of a small group or a group of members to take over the leadership
position of the group.
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To gain more power, or even to become the new leader of the
group, members may try to create followers and turn them against the leader.
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Small groups should watch for power hungry members
and make sure that they do not destroy the group.
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Groups must beware," When a group's structure is based
on a hierarchy of power and status, the door is open for members to do
all they can to gain more power in the group" (Leland P. Bradford)
3.Clowning
Clowning is another
serious problem maybe not as big as the ones above but if it gets out of
hand the group may lose focus and not accomplish their tasks. Everyone
likes to have a good time and have fun but for the most part meeting should
not be the place to do it. You should try to keep you meeting to
the agenda, and also stick to the times set in the agenda if at
all possible.
Clowning
is a problem in which a group member or members try to make the meeting
into a joke, telling stories or jokes that get the group off track
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Joking around at meetings can tend
to give the wrong atmosphere to a meeting.
Members get the feeling that they would rather play then work.
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When in a meeting the tone does not always have to be serious
an a joke once an awhile can lighten everyone up.
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Members should be aware that sometimes this clowning can
get a group far off the subject and unable to complete the task at hand.
4.Physical Environment
The environment can have impact on
how the meeting is run and also on the
productivity of a group. Where and when a
meeting is run can have a tremendous
outcome on the participation of the group members.
If a group member is not comfortable with his or her setting they are likely
not to express their ideas and feeling as freely. Just how the meeting
is set up or ran can effect the participation of group members.
The physical environment can add
to problems in meetings, things like procedures, arrangement, and setting
can effect the meeting drastically.
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Room arrangement can determine how much a group member is
free to participation a meeting.
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A special seating order can and many times does indicate
a kind of rank or peeking order.
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The group members that sit closer to the leader tend to have
more impact on the decision making process.
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Members that sit farther away may be less heard or not included
in some of the conversation.
Conclusion
These are not all of the problem that
can occur in a meeting but they cover a big scale of problems that you
are likely to see in a small group situation. Remember in a small
group everyone must work together to solve problem and to stop problems
before they happen. If you see something in the group atmosphere
that you do not like speak up and tell your group. If you do not
feel you have enough power or that people do not listen to you, tell the
leader or tell someone else that can get your feelings across to the other
members of the group. But if you do not feel comfortable speaking
out in your group maybe its time to find a new
group, if at all possible.
" Remember, the key to solving problems is never letting
them start"
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