Pat,
Reading your post brought a few chuckles which was much appreciated
after a long Pittsburgh championship loss today. Thanks. What is more
amusing is that I can create a list (similar to yours) about real people
and teams from my own experience. The only difference would be the
emotional impact. I laughed when I read yours. I've seen tears/anger.
Let's start a real list ...
1) The leader knows what he wants before going into the meeting. He
starts by asking others their opinion. The leader then spends the rest
of the meeting affirming opinions consistent with his own and judges the
differences. When he finally brings everyone around to nod
affirmatively at his thinking -- he puts the "team decision" to rest
and suggests a coffee break. The leader, as you can expect, is now
surrounded by "yes" people.
2)?
Sometimes I wonder about the effectiveness of teaching/learning from
"what not to do" versus from the "what to do". Personally, I have
learned alot from ineffective people in high places...they have been
great teachers.
Tom Sullivan
Professional Growth Associates
P.A. Gantt wrote:
>
> Team Avoidance Tactics
>
> Use these tactics in meetings to avoid being asked to join any other
> teams at your work.
>
> > Be late for every meeting and insist that the group review what you
> missed. Then leave before the
> meeting ends.
>
> > When it's your turn to bring the donuts, bring bran muffins instead.
>
> > Keep inviting other "stake-holders" to "grow the team."
>
> > Say "Well, that's a stupid idea," after each member's brainstorming
> contribution.
>
> > Insist that each meeting start with a prayer to budget meisters for
> more funding.
>
> > When it's your turn to write up the minutes, invent embarrassing
> quotes for all of the other
> members.
>
> > Talk loud and fast. Interrupt. Cut people off. Throw things.
>
> > Spill your coffee on at least one other member at each meeting.
>
> > Embarrass non-attentive members by saying to them, "Hello? Anybody
> home? Anybody home?
> Helloooo?"
>
> > Bathe infrequently.
>
> > Keep reminding everyone of the organization's mission statement. Ask
> all of the members to recite it aloud with
> you.
>
> > Sarcastically praise every member's contributions to the discussion by
> saying things like, "Oh thank you
> Phil. That was soooo brilliant. My heart is going all pitter-pat. Thank
> you so much for sharing that with us."
>
> > Insist on more frequent and longer meetings.