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Their Own Ideas problem

archiwhat

I took part in a workshop recently and faced a problem that everyone in the group tried so hard to promote their own ideas so nobody actually listened to each other and the work was totally corrupted because of that. We were divided into groups to develop separate projects. I hadn't had much of working-in-groups experience neither in academia nor at work, so it was something new to me. It was so stupid - we couldn't agree on a smallest subject!

As I'm going to go further in my education I'd like to ask for a tip how to conquer this behaviour, because I think this is not something constructive at all. Was it the tutors' mistake or this is a common thing in architecture school, I don't really know.
What would be the smart way to negotiate in this case? Thanx.

 
Jul 2, 10 12:16 am
toasteroven

someone needs to step up and become the "consensus builder" - which means, that person will have to forgo their own ideas to try to figure out which ideas are similar and how they could be consolidated into something the entire group can agree on. then you all figure out a game plan (with the consensus builder fielding suggestions and making sure that everyone is heard - again, only adding their own suggestions if it is absolutely necessary).

quite simply, you have no leaders in the group. it's a tough skill - especially when people are used to doing things their own way. leaders often have to forgo their own desires and ideas in order to make sure everyone feels like they are being listened to so you can move forward with the task at hand. it's good practice for when you are dealing with a group of strong-willed people as a client.

Jul 2, 10 2:36 pm  · 
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toasteroven

otherwise you'll end up going along with whoever is the most bossy - and then no one is happy.

Jul 2, 10 2:39 pm  · 
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Larchinect

I experienced the same situation in an Urban Design studio in my LA program a year or so ago.

We designated a project manager and she ended up being the least motivated, least organized. Things went pretty much as you described and our final project wound up being pretty pathetic. In fact, I redesigned the project on my own over Christmas break just after we turned in our final booklet.

Looking back, I'd say that projects in the professional world tend not to really happen this way. At the very least, there's a hierarchy of designers and consultants. In projects dealing with lots of public input there's a filter, hopefully. There's a saying--"Do you know what a Camel is? A Horse designed by committee.

Jul 2, 10 2:45 pm  · 
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