Why Bother?

Every work group should be analyzed in terms of how representative or inclusive the membership is and, of course, how balanced the participation is among that membership. Dealing with difficult or dominant members of a work group is a task that every community builder must face sooner or later. The skills needed to diagnosis problem behavior and then respond or design a response to help the group come to terms with a problem member is vital.

The Situation:

Imagine yourself leading a work group in a community and one member constantly interrupts, talks over others and in every way possible tries to control the conversation.

Should you:

(A) Do nothing in front of the group but take the person aside and ask for some restraint.

(B) Try to find an assignment that might put a leash on the talker.

(C) Do nothing. It's just a fact of life that every group has a problem person.

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