MEETING
MONSTERS
Objectives:
1. To identify the types of behaviors which disrupt team meetings.
2. To develop tactics for dealing with problems behaviors in meetings.
Process:
1. Open the session with an explanation of the objectives of the exercise.
2. Distribute the handout
and briefly review the "monsters." Divide the class into groups
of 3-4 and give each group a Meeting Monsters handout. Assign two monsters
to each group. Each group is asked to come up with ways of dealing with
the two monsters assigned to them. Allow 15 minutes.
3. Each group presents their
responses on the overhead projector. Other groups seek clarification
and provide alternative responses.
4. Provide additional ideas
based on the resource, How to Deal With Meeting Monsters.
5. Debrief the activity using
some of the following questions:
Instead of a meeting, look
at it from a classroom setting.
o Which meeting monster
is most prevalent in your classes?
o Which monster is most difficult to deal with? Why?
o What are some things you will do differently as a result of this
exercise?
How
to Deal With Meeting Monsters Answer Key
1. Overly talkative: Interrupt with "That's an interesting point.
Now let's see what the rest of the team thinks."
2. Highly argumentative:
Honestly try to find the merit in his/her statements. Try humor: "I
respect your right to be wrong." Try sarcasm: "I hate people
who beat around the bush."
3. Rambler: Say: "Your
point is interesting, but we're need to move on to the next agenda item."
4. Obstinate, rigid: Throw
his/her point to the team for consideration. Say that time is short
and ask that the group's viewpoint be accepted for the moment. Say you'll
be glad to discuss it later.
5. Griper, whiner: Point
out that organizational policy cannot be changed at the meeting; "So
let's try to figure out how we can best operate under the present system."
6. Side conversation: Call
one of them by name, restate the most recent opinion and ask for his/her
opinion. Refer to your team norms about no side conversations.
7. Definitely wrong: Try:
"That's one way to look at it," or "I see your point,
but did you know that (corporate policy forbids it or the FDA requires
it)?"
8. Off the subject: Try:
"Something I may have said may have lead you to think we are discussing
_____, but right now we are considering ___________."
9. Silent: Ask the person
next to him/her a question and then ask the silent person to comment
on the answer. If the silent person is near you, ask his/her opinion
on a subject that you are sure he/she knows a great deal about.
Meeting Monsters
1. Meeting Monster: Overly Talkative What to do:
2. Meeting Monster: Highly Argumentative What to do:
3. Meeting Monster: Rambler What to do:
4. Meeting Monster: Obstinate / Rigid What to do:
5. Meeting Monster: Griper / Whiner What to do:
6. Meeting Monster: Side
Conversation What to do:
7. Meeting Monster: Definitely Wrong What to do:
8. Meeting Monster: Off the
Subject What to do:
9. Meeting Monster: Silent What to do:
(Click
Here to obtain this lesson as an MS Word document.)
Tina Walsh
Lake Taylor HS
Norfolk VA
