Negative team member

[T967]

Our team has a problem. We have one or two members that can be very very negative. On top of that one of these people is a mentor. Most of the team is afraid to confront them about it because in the past they have never reacted well to that sort of thing. Both think that everyone in the group try to undermined them, and that we absolutely WON'T be able to accomplish things the building team set out to do. And finally if it isn't their idea, they immediately attack that idea and find every little thing wrong with it or why they think it will NEVER work. Our team is suffering and our parents and team aren't sure what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

the only thing i can say is have a meeting and have the eintire group confront these people and tell them how you feel. sometimes it takes more than an individual to accomplish things and tell them exactly how you feel and what your problems are. i don't have any experience but this seems to be a solution. have the parents talk if they still won't listen.

[Koko Ed]

Originally posted by LizJJury
the only thing i can say is have a meeting and have the eintire group confront these people and tell them how you feel. sometimes it takes more than an individual to accomplish things and tell them exactly how you feel and what your problems are. i don't have any experience but this seems to be a solution. have the parents talk if they still won't listen.

It sounds like you need to have a meeting with these people and set them straight. You cannot let them compromise the integrity of the team for their own sakes. Otherwise there is a good chance your team could implode. Nip the situation in the bud before it get worse.

[Don Knight]

Originally posted by T967
Our team has a problem. We have one or two members that can be very very negative. On top of that one of these people is a mentor. Most of the team is afraid to confront them about it because in the past they have never reacted well to that sort of thing. Both think that everyone in the group try to undermined them, and that we absolutely WON'T be able to accomplish things the building team set out to do. And finally if it isn't their idea, they immediately attack that idea and find every little thing wrong with it or why they think it will NEVER work. Our team is suffering and our parents and team aren't sure what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

Need more information - are the team members students, mentors, teachers?
Are they negative or just being realistic?
Remember Woodies chart on Theoretical to Physical
When they complain do they offer a better idea?
In the Past - this year, previous years? how long has this been going on?

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally posted by T967
We have one or two members that can be very very negative. On top of that one of these people is a mentor. Most of the team is afraid to confront them about it because in the past they have never reacted well to that sort of thing. Both think that everyone in the group try to undermined them, and that we absolutely WON'T be able to accomplish things the building team set out to do. And finally if it isn't their idea, they immediately attack that idea and find every little thing wrong with it or why they think it will NEVER work. Our team is suffering and our parents and team aren't sure what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

I sent you ideas privately. If I can help with more info, let me know.

[Ed Crammond]

hrm, i wouldnt get the team as a whole to meet with these people, perhaps representatives from each sub-team, but not so many that it could be intimidating. You dont want to give the impression that the whole team is "ganging up" on them.

The best way of persuading people about an idea is to prove that it works. So get drawing and calculating, produce some numbers that show the benefits of the idea.
Conversely, if they can prove to you that it wont work, then they may well be right.

Persuasion is much harder when you cant prove it, tactics for example. Spell out the benefits and admit the drawbacks. Respond to negativity with reasoned arguement.

[narenr]

I also agree that you (either as a team or as representatives) should talk to the people you are having problems with. If you let this go on, none of the people on your team will have fun and learn, which defeats the entire purpose of FIRST. But don't confront them and be hostile. You'll just end up alienating them and making the problem worse. Discuss the problem with them and see what both sides can do. It might just be a lack of communication or understanding. Maybe they just need to be reminded of "Gracious Professionalism." Whatever it is, diplomacy goes a long way.

[Joe Matt]

While granted, I can fit into your description of 'negative' very nicely, I always offer something else to back up my idea. While some really stupid ideas (despite what people tell you, there are some stupid ideas) are shot down, most ideas I've confronted are ones that are good, but not feasable.

Here is an example from our team (minus what it was about and who did what).

We had 2-3 team members who wanted to do thing a. They thought it was great, cool, ect. Despite what the small core group told them, they didn't listen. Then when confronted by the whole group and people who know more, the idea is litteral shot down point blank. Physics all the way to logistics, the idea was not feaseable.

Please tell us more to help you.

[illumanat'i]

if you've already dealt with it, good, other wise, here's my three cents:

get one or two people, maybe the team leader(s) to take the negative people aside, one by one, as if everything was normal, and tell them they have to stop being so self-centered and negative... the trick, as i have learned, (and it normally works) is to act cool, as if it didn't really matter, its just a suggestion....
if they still are bad, tell them to look up or leave

[srjjs]

Originally posted by T967
And finally if it isn't their idea, they immediately attack that idea and find every little thing wrong with it or why they think it will NEVER work.

From my xperience, something like this is actually very helpful. People who are good at seeing flaws in ideas are very valuable because poiting out the errors forces you to think through you idea more and in the end, rather than building and messing up, then rebuilding, you will have a good working robot the first time, even if the design process takes longer.
Bad designs can lead to building various parts 2, 3, or even 4 times. If someone is there to point out the flaws, it saves time in the long run. Even if no better idea is given, just knowing that there is a problem is helpful. When you think about it, a philosophy of "So what if this idea won't work, you don't have one either" only ends up wasting resources without really helping anyone.

[torn_paperdoll]

The thing I have realized with time, is negativeness(is that a word) spreads.. If a teammate, or a mentor is being negative, pull them aside and have a talk with them.. Keep in mind, you never know what is going on in someone else's life.. For all you know they could be having a hard time at home or something.. everyone has their own problems, it is dealing with them that is the tricky part.. When you set them aside to talk to them, make sure you don't come on too strong.. ie. when you set them down talk to them one to one on an adult level.. don't scream either.. it just causes more conflict..

And as for making it more private.. That is a very good idea.. You want to confront them maturly, not let them find this on here.. that is a very immature way of handling things.. (not that your immature)

I hope this all works out.. Just remember.. You have to make your team come together.. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how good your robot is.. You still won't gain respect from the other teams..

[T967]

Turns out right after I posted that some action was taken. I think the members didn't realize haw hard we were working and how difficult some things on the robot can be. Thank you for all your suggestions.

[skrussel]

Geez, this brings back ugly memories.....I lost a whole team because of this kind of bad behavior. I am sure it is more widespread than many of us realize. You must act and ask these two people to leave.