The role of a leader takes on the role as a facilitator. Leaders (especially during group activities) must observe group member actions and be prepared to control or redirect disruptive behaviors. Some disruptive behaviors are listed below along with some leadership strategies:
Compulsive Talkers
Individuals who are obsessed with talking, they talk all the time and may interrupt others to talk.
Leadership strategy: Thank them for their input, and ask to hear from others to guide and open communication to be more effective. Another strategy is meeting one to one to give constructive feedback, sometimes they may not realize they are doing it.
Non-talkers
The "quiet ones."
Leadership strategy: Leaders can ask them to write down and submit ideas. They can also prepare these members with topics before meetings, because sometimes these individuals just need time to think through their thoughts.
Squashers
Individuals who try to squash the idea before it is even brought forward.
Leadership strategies: Reinstate that there will be no analyzing or negative talk about ideas until they are all brought to the table. Can also allow the negative input for a certain amount of time, then move the group beyond it (like barriers vs. benefits).
Busybodies
These individuals aren't real committed, they frequently arrive late, leave early, take personal messages/cell phone calls during meetings/work, and just simply want to show up for a few minutes but don't contribute anything.
Leadership strategy: find ways to engage these individuals and make them accountable for something during meetings or other group settings.
Kellie,
ReplyDeleteThis was very insightful. I think I have worked with someone from each disruptive behavior. It can make getting things accomplished a lot harder. I liked the suggestions on leadership strategies to use for these behaviors. I do agree that it is the leaders responsibility to control or redirect disruptive behaviors.
~Jamie