Troubleshooting

Most teams have problems at some stage. Often they're straightforward and can be sorted out quite quickly. Occasionally they're more challenging, and require considerable time and attention. If they're not tackled, however, they won't go away, and they may have a lasting effect on the group's performance.

If your group isn't working well, address the issue as soon as possible, either during a regular feedback session, or as an agenda item at a meeting.

Difficulties in a group may be:

• clearly caused by particular individuals
  
  
• of a more general nature
  
  
• a mixture of both.

Confronting difficulties can be challenging and uncomfortable, so make sure that you adhere to your ground rules, and seek appropriate support where necessary. Remind yourselves of guidance in 'Giving and receiving feedback' and, if necessary, refer to your tutor or a counsellor for advice. Remember that the ability to resolve difficulties is an important skill, and groups who achieve this often become stronger and more cohesive.

The group needs to:

1. acknowledge that there's a problem

2. be prepared to commit time and energy to developing a solution

3. identify the exact nature of the difficulty / difficulties. This might seem immediately apparent, or you may need to discuss the situation in some detail. Bear in mind that some problems are more complex than they at first appear

4. find and implement a way of dealing with the difficulties

5. review progress / changes as appropriate.

Keep a written record of your feedback sessions. This is a useful reference when reviewing progress, and might be used as evidence if an individual's behaviour has an ongoing detrimental effect on the group's achievement.

Unfairness, prejudice and discrimination

Dealing with these issues can be challenging. Prejudice and discrimination are particularly serious. If they arise within your group:

• refer to your ground rules and request a group discussion / feedback session
  
  
• check that roles and tasks are being allocated fairly

• remember that although some people set out deliberately to hurt others, a lot of discrimination is unintentional, and due to a lack of thought, understanding, or skill

• attempt to deal with the problem within your group, but if you're unsuccessful, refer to your tutor

• if necessary, refer to UWE's counselling service, or the Students' Union. See also your UWE Student Handbook for UWE's grievance procedure, and its policies on equal opportunities and harassment.