Logistics - the Y.A. Novel - not coming to a store near you soon.
On the home stretch of my MBA - and am facing the onslaught of group projects.
Yes… they are hard. But they are extremely possible. Deciding that things are going to get done, getting them assigned, and keeping tabs on them - these are not super glamorous things. Logistics - the Y.A. Adventure is likely not forthcoming. But taking control of them removes so much of the fear and trepidation about being in a bad group.
At worst, if you are in a terrible group, you know what needs to be done, who was supposed to do it, and what hasn’t been done. And then you can take care of things, including reporting the free-rider.
At best, everyone is able to keep in touch with the project and have that moment of satisfaction when the plan comes together.
Really - it’s in the middle somewhere. The important part of this exercise? Realizing this is the training ground for leadership. Making things happen - and taking credit for your efforts. Practice with the little things so you are used to it when you get to something big. (My personal baggage includes the injunction to be modest, and not be shouty about what you’ve done. I realize that was often enforced as “don’t make a big thing when someone ignores the work you’ve done, or takes credit for your work.” This is not a set of guidelines that has built anything healthy.)
So - take charge of the situation, or support the person who is, and make sure credit is passed out correctly wherever you stand in the scrum.
See - told you, this is a terrible plot for a Y.A. Novel.
