I like, and also use, Eugene Taurman's approach:
>I assign roles Leader, Process Coach, Time Keeper, Participant and
>Recorder.
But, Gene, you left out the most important role for dealing with this
problem: Client!
I learned from Synectics that it is very valuable to have the Client role
well defined and represented on any team. The Client is the person who
must take the results of what the team accomplishes and do something
further with it. The Client can be the next level manager, but it can be
anyone responsible for taking the next step.
The reason this role is so important is that, from time to time, the
Leader (or Facilitator) can turn to the Client and ask the fundamental
questions: "Is what we're doing giving you what you need? Are we going
where you need us to go? Are we on track to provide you what you must
have to take the next step?"
When a small group is dominating, to the detriment of group process or
group accomplishment, the Leader can turn to the Client and ask the
fundamental questions. This gives the Client the opportunity to say, "No,
I need to hear from everyone in the group, not just a few." ...or..."Yes,
for now this is just fine."
Note: In Gene's scheme, some of this can also be done by the Process
Coach. I find, however, that it is harder to ignore the mandates of the
Client role and sometimes pretty easy to ignore the "suggestions" of the
Process Coach.
--"John Gunkler" <jgunkler@sprintmail.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>