Things That Block/Build a Group

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                   THINGS THAT BLOCK/BUILD A GROUP


> THINGS THAT BLOCK A GROUP:

1. Not listening

2. Unclear issues

3. Disorganized

4. No facilitator

5. No defined goals and objectives

6. Not buying into goals and objectives

7. Not being involved in decisionmaking

8. Impatience with the group decisionmaking process 

9. Being afraid to speak up at a meeting because of what others
   might say

10. Using words and jargon that some members might not understand

11. Lack of information

12. Not listening to what others have to say

13. Suppressing conflict

14. Rejecting other's ideas without hearing them out

15. Animosity and dislikes in the group

16. Lack of multi-lingual communication

17. Time pressures

18. Outside pressures

19. Using Robert's Rules

20. Ego

21. Pushy people

22. Hidden agenda/self-interest

23. Lack of well-defined roles



> THINGS THAT BUILD A GROUP:

1. Humor

2. Starting on time

3. Short meetings

4. Fun

5. Compromising

6. Similar backgrounds

7. Common goals

8. Enthusiasm

9. Cooperation

10. Assigning a leadership role on a temporary basis
    (rotating facilitator)

11. "Be a little nasty nicely"

12. Taking an extreme absurd position to help others realize
    where they stand

13. Having clear goals understood by all

14. Alternative ideas

15. Consensus decisionmaking

16. Respect

17. Defined roles

18. Commitment

19. Flexible structuring

20. Support from others

21. Facilitation rather than leadership

22. Initiative

23. Cooperation

24. Sensitivity to people's differing needs

24. False humor or too much humor

25. Inflexible group structure

26. Self-interest

27. Lack of planning

28. No prepared agenda

29.  Age group differences

25. Trust

26. Being process-oriented not task-oriented

27. Listening

28. Follow through and accepting responsibility

29. Dealing with the affects of power differences
    on group process



Credit: Robert C. Biagi, Cooperative Extension,
        University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

• Lois M. Frey, UVM Extension, RR #4, Box 2298, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 223-2389, email: lfrey@sover.net
• "Group Development: Creating Group Effectiveness" by Duane Dale, DFD Associates, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-3402 (moving to 764 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01022 after 8/1/98);
• Bob Biagi, 142 Cherry Lane, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 549-1412;

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98