Judy and her fellow group members were highly frustrated by each other, in part because their needs and corresponding orientations toward the group’s work were so different. However, instead of recognizing these differences as a potential plus, they responded by blaming each other for not doing things “right.”
Assume you are Judy, and you’re having a hard time understanding why your group members consistently rebuff your attempts at friendship.
1. What is your perception of the group’s situation? If you were to describe the situation to a friend, what would you say about it?
2. What effect is your perception of the situation having on your behavior in (and outside) the group?
3. What could you do to make the situation better, from your perspective? List at least five possible things you could do.
4. Which of those actions do you think is most likely to improve the situation, and why?
Assume you are one of the other members of the group, and you don’t understand why Judy isn’t getting the message.
5. What is your perception of the group’s situation? If you were telling a friend about it, what would you say the problem was?
6. What effect is your perception of the situation having on your behavior in (and outside) the group?
7. What could you do to make the situation better, from your perspective? List at least five possible things you could do.
8. Which of those actions do you think is most likely to improve the situation, and why?