Whether you're major is Communications or Spanish, while in college, the dreaded words “group project" are all but impossible to avoid. For me, it's been the case that the people you work with make or break the entire experience, and therefore your grade. And for that reason, it's important to know how to deal with different personalities and work ethics. Here are just some of the people that you might have to work with and the best way you should deal with them.
The Ghost:
This person is so elusive they would give professional search-and-rescue teams a run for their money. So despite numerous meetings, held at agreed-upon times, this person never shows up. You can call, you can text, and you can email, but good luck getting a response. Eventually you start to wonder if this person was real or just a figment of your imagination. And then when it's time to give the presentation, they magically reappear. If this person describes someone in your group, it's not the end of the world. It might mean that you have to do some extra work to pick up their slack, but that's okay. You're used to it. Or it might be the case that they are going through some tough times. Don't be afraid to reach out to them and ask if you can do something to help them be more productive within the group. But if it turns out they're just lazy, remember that the peer review is where you can exact your revenge.
The Boss:
They never got the chance to be in charge of anything before coming to school. And now that you have the misfortune of being stuck in their group, you'll quickly realize why. Full of bad ideas, loud and obnoxious are just a few words that come to mind when describing this person. You thought the project was going to be about volcanoes, surprise! It's now about World War II and you don't have a say in the matter. And since life isn't like "The Apprentice" you can't just fire them. So what do you do? Compromise is always a great tool. If used properly you can be in charge while still allowing someone else to feel as though they are in fact calling the shots. Suggest alternatives that sound outrageous and then offer up something that sounds more neutral. In addition, when talking, phrase things as a question rather than a statement. Instead of saying "I think we should..." word it like, "Why don't we give this a shot..."
The Follower:
While this person technically isn't a problem, they certainly never provide a solution. They're comfortable just to sit back and let other people call the shots. At times, this can be really nice. But when it always falls on the same few people to come up with the ideas it becomes stressful. Challenge them to come up with an idea of their own. In fact, make it a requirement that everyone contribute at least two ideas, good or bad. This will make them to feel more invested in the process and, who knows, they might come up with something really good.
The Last-Minute Larry:
Ever heard of the strong silent type? Well, this is them and then some. Confident that you've settled on a topic, this person waits until the absolute late second to speak up and say that they want to go a different route. Timid and hesitant, this person has the best of intentions but doesn't want to offend. What could be more frustrating? It's best to be decisive in these situations. Once the group thinks that they've settled on an idea, go once around and ask everyone if they are happy with the choice. If the answer is yes and then someone tries to change it, don't be afraid to say no and stick to what was agreed upon.
