Tag: meeting behavior

Group Dynamics

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Call to mind a time when you participated in a group. It could be playing a sport, something that involves more than one player. Or it could be a meeting, either professional or for pleasure.

            Shortly after the group was formed, the dynamics began to play out. The leader might now really be the leader. Instead, it’s the know-it-all at the opposite end of the table who quickly spouts her opinions as gospel, overriding the actual leader.

            There are the meek, who sit with heads down, slopping shoulders, trying to blend in with the chair, hoping not to get noticed. When called upon, they offer brief, concise statements.

            And then there are those who really, really want to be recognized, but who sit with smiles and wide-open eyes, waiting for the leader to see that they have something to offer.

            Your task is to write a story in which a group meeting is held. Because dialogue will be crucial in establishing dynamics, include lots! Description is crucial as well so that readers can see how participants are acting.

            Have fun with this one.

Zoom Meeting Issues

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us participate in many zoom meetings on a regular basis. We’ve all become aware of things that annoy or distract. Perhaps it’s important to establish basic ground rules at the onset and then periodically remind people of what they should and shouldn’t be doing. For example, it the group is large, the it might make sense for everyone to mute their microphones in order to keep background noise to a minimum.  Another issue is an improperly place camera, for example, a camera pitched so high that you only see a person’s forehead, or one so low that you only see the desktop.

            Another problem arises when participants are doing other things, such as jogging, working on another monitor or chopping onions. These movements distract others, pulling them out of the conversation. It also sends a message that the individual is not fully engaged, often considered disrespectful to the group.

            Not being prepared is also a major problem. For example, your book group is discussing the assigned novel, but you chose not to read it. Unless the topic is one that you know something about, it’s hard for you to participate. In that case, a few voices are heard while the others sit silently.

            Your task is to write a story in which a zoom meeting goes wrong. Perhaps someone is only wearing underwear which is revealed when he stands to get a cup of coffee. Or maybe a person’s dog insists on sitting on the owner’s lap, completely blocking the person’s face. There are myriads of things that could go wrong.

            Have fun with this one.