CASE 9 The Forgotten Group Member Developed by Franklin Ramsoomeir, Wilfred Lauter Universi tne Organizational Behavior course forthe semester appeared to promise ‘the opportunity to learn, enjoy, and practice some of the theores and pry ‘ciples in the textbook nd clase discussions. Christine Spencer was a devct 4, hard-working student, who had been maintaining an A average to date. [Although te sls and knowledge she had acquired through her courses were important, she was also very concerned about her grades. She felt that grades ‘were paruinount in giving hers competitive edge when looking for ajob and, ‘asa thindyear student, she realized that she'd soon be doing just that. Sunday afternoon, Two o'clock. grade. The task was to analyze & ‘Christine was working on en sever-page case and to come up accounting assignment but didnt witha writen analysis. In aditon, seem tobe able to concentrate. Her Sandra had asked the groups to pre- courses were working out very well sex the casein class, with the idea this semester all but the OB. Much in mind that the rest ofthe class ofthe marlin that course vas toe members would be “members ofthe sonlied to the quality of groupwork, Board of Directors of the compasy” ‘and 30 she felt somewhat out of com- who woald be listening to how the ‘rol She recollected the events of manager end her team dealt with the the past five weeks, Professor problem at hand. Sandra Thiel ad divided the lass (Cristine was elected “Team ino groups affive people and had Coordinator” atthe fist group meet- sven them amajor group assig- ing. The other members of the ‘ment worth 30 percent ofthe final group were Diane, Janc, Steve, and ‘Mike. Diane was quiet and never volunteered suggestions, but whee direct asked, she would come =e ‘wi high quality ideas. Mike was the clown. Christine remembered that she had suggested thatthe troup should get together before every cass to discus the day's case Mike had balked, saying “No ay ‘This ie an 830 class, and [barely make it on time anyway! Besides. TE mise my "Happy Harry’ show ox television!" The group coulda Beis but laugh at his indignation. Steve was the businessike individ, always wanting to ensure that roa meetings were guided by an agenda and noting the tangible resus achieved or not achieved atthe ead of every meeting, Janet was the re ble one who would always bave more for the group than was expect (ed of her. Christine saw herse¥ 2s, meticulous and organized and 28 2 ‘person who tied to give her best whatever she di, Tewas now week five into the semester, and Christine was deep = ‘thought about the OB assignment ‘She had called everyone to arrange ‘meeting fora time that would st them all but seemed to be running into a roadblock. Mike couldnt make it, saving that he was working that night asa member ofthe caze us security force. In fc, he ‘seemed to miss most meetings and ‘oul sendin brief notes to Castine, which she was supposed to discus fr him atthe group retings, She wondered how to deal \ith this. She also remembered the incident last week. Just before cass started, Diane, Janet, Steve and ber ‘self were joking with one another Defore class. They were laughing and enjoying themselves before ‘Sandra came in, Noone noticed that ‘Mike bad slipped in very quiety and nad unobirusively taken his seat. She recalled the cafeteria inc deat. Two wooks ago, she had goneto the cafeteria to grab something to fet, She had rushed to her secount- ing cass and had skipped breakist. ‘When she got her club sandich and headed to the ables, she saw oer OB group and joined them. The Aiseussion was ight and enjoyable as it always was when they met informally. Mike had come i. Hed approached ther table, "You gure dnt ey you were having a group ‘eefing,” he blurted. Christine was taken aback, "We just happened to run into ‘each athe, Why notin us "Mk looked at them, wth a poncomuitl glance. Ya. right” Doe muttered and walled away. ‘Sandra Thiet had freely told them that if there were prob: Jems inthe group, the members should make an effort to deal with them first I the problems could not De resolved, she had sad that they should come to her. Mike seemed 20 stant, despite the apparent cama raderie of the fst meeting. ‘An hour had passed, bringing the tine to3 rat, and Christine found hers biting the tp of her pencl, The writen case analysis was Aue next week. All the others had ‘done ther designated sections, but ‘Mike adjust handed in sme rough handwritten notes. He had called Christine the week before, telling her tat in ation to his ‘course and his ob, he was having probloms with his giliend. CCaistine erpathized with him. Ye, this was a group project Besides, the final mark would be peer erahe ated, This meant that whatever mark Sandra gave diem could be lowered orraised, depending oa the group's opinion about the value of the contr: bation ofeach member. She was df. Initelyworeed, She knew that Mike Ina erative ideas that cou help to ‘se the overall mark. She was alo concerned for him. As she Estened (othe music the background, she wondered what she should do. Review Questions 1, How could an understanding of the stages of group development assist Christin in leadership st ations such a this one? ‘What should Christine under stand about individual member Ship in groups in order to bid soup processes that are support: Ine ofher work grour's peror- 23. Is Christine an effective group leader in this ease? Why or why not ee uw