Managing Sticky Situations at Work

Sticky Situations in Meetings 109way, but we’ve got to exercise a little restraint. You really have noidea how much each of us has put into this camp. I used to bringhomemade cookies to the kids every afternoon, and Sandi Smithand Brenda made cherry pies and took the kids out for ice cream.This isn’t your typical camp. It’s more like a family.’’Two more board members speak up in support of Karen.Karl protests, saying two part-time positions are not exorbitantrequests given that he hopes to double the camp’s revenuesand thereby increase its capacity and outreach.Brenda calls for the vote. The new budget with the two newpositions loses six to three. Karl leaves the meeting, crushed.STAGE OF TEAM DEVELOPMENTThe board that existed before the new members entered was probablya group that had advanced to the Performing Stage. Once groupsget to Performing, they strive to stay there. When the three new boardmembers and the new executive director joined the group, the groupreturned to the Forming Stage. The longtime members now functionat the Norming Stage and the new members at the Forming Stage.These two stages struggle against each other. When this happens it iscommon for cliques to form. Cliques are smaller groups within thegroup often at a higher level of team development than the group asa whole. Unfortunately cliques typify Storming groups.Karl’s proposal for two new positions reached beyond what a teamat the Storming Stage can adequately address. Storming is a time fororganization, not decision making. Now that Karl understands groupdynamics, he is in a position to more successfully introduce his newendeavors.APPLYING THE SAY IT JUST RIGHT MODELDECISION POINTSKarl weighs the costs. Karl accepted this position because he lovedthe idea of helping children experience the pleasure of camp. From hisfirst day of work, he bubbled with enthusiasm about what he couldaccomplish. He realizes now that the proposal he put before the boardwas too aggressive. His own impatience to serve as many children aspossible clouded his judgment. Unfortunately for Karl, he is not theonly one who is frustrated. The three new board members, particularly