Frustrating
aggravating
irritating
upsetting
discouraging
disappointing
etc.
are
all
adjectives
that
describe
my
feelings
about
group
projects.
I’ve
always
been
told
that
“There
is
no
‘I’
in
the
word
team”,
however,
there
can
be
an
F,
D,
C,
B,
or
an
A
depending
on
how
well
the
group
functions
or
malfunctions.
So
the
question
becomes
“How
do
I
survive
a
group
project
without
cougin
it?”
I
have
thoughts
of
withdrawing,
dropping
out,
developing
a
terminal
illness,
and
being
hit
by
a
car
before
I
accept
the
ultimate
reality
that
once
again
I
am
destined
to
participate
in
a
group
project.
Invariably
the
group
consists
of
a
collage
of
misfits,
perfectionists,
procrastinators,
slackers,
and
know-?it-?alls.
Three
weeks
Rule
19:
Surviving
Group
Projects
By:
Kelly
Rogers
before
the
project
is
due
phone
numbers
and
email
addresses
are
exchanged
with
participant
promises
of
routine
communication
and
early
completion.
The
road
leading
to
our
success
never
seems
to
deviate
from
its
predetermined
path
complete
with
detours
and
potholes.
Three
days
before
the
project
is
due
group
communication
is
established
and
the
countdown
begins.
Incorrect/unused
email
addresses
and
disconnected
phones
have
become
a
problem.
Individual
sections
are
incomplete
and
accountability
is
nonexistent.
At
this
point
the
know-?it-?all
takes
over
dictating
format,
style,
and
content.
The
slacker
could
careless
and
the
perfectionist
is
about
to
blow
a
fuse.
Two
days
before
its
due
the
procrastinator
starts
researching
his/her
contribution,
the
know-?it-?all
and
perfectionist
are
not
speaking,
and
the
slacker
could
still
careless.
The
final
24
hour
countdown
begins
with
the
realization
that
time
is
running
out
and
there
will
be
no
sleep
for
the
participants.
Twenty-?three
hours
later
with
the
help
of
a
case
of
Red
Bull
and
3
pots
of
coffee
the
project
information
has
been
compiled,
the
final
presentation
put
together,
and
we’ve
managed
one
rehearsal
presentation.
The
final
hour
is
upon
us
and
the
presentation
begins.
We
stumble
through
without
questions
and
wonder
if
anyone
was
even
listening.
Oh
well,
it
is
over
and
I
promise
myself
I
will
never
do
another
group
project
–
until
the
next
time.
13