In the middle of one semester, a teacher in a high school assigns an important project to his students, which will be handed in by the end of the semester. The students are separated into groups for the project based on their wish and then A, B and C form one team. A and B are excellent in their studies and C is a little worse than them. C and B are close friends and C and A are involved in a relationship. (B and C are girls, while A is a boy)
In the beginning, they do a good job. But in the last part, A and C have a serious quarrel over their relationship and they cannot bear to see each other. C keeps chatting with B about how bad A is and how sad she is for a long time and B wastes a lot of time hearing her. The deadline for the project is approaching and B has to discuss with A for some details of the project. (B asks help from A instead of C because A is better in the field.) C finds out this fact and all at once she loses her temper because C thinks B betrays her trust. (In C’s opinion, as a close friend, B should ask help from her, not a boy who hurts her heart.)
B does not want to miss the deadline for the project (which means that she has to keep discussing with A), but she does not want to hurt C either. What do you think B is supposed to do?
Hey Zhu Li
ReplyDeleteThe conflict you mentioned is a little complicated. I feel that the three of them should sit down together and have a talk. Since they are doing a project, they should draw the line clearly and not to let personal feelings and personal reasons affect the group’s progress in their project. A and C should talk to each other personally and talk things out clearly. They should not drag B into the picture and get B into serious “trouble” of missing the deadline for the project. I think B should also urge C to be more active in her participation in the project. The whole team lack effective communication. I feel that A should not be too petty. B is just discussing the project with A and this does not mean that B betrayed her. As a close friend and a teammate, C should understand B for discussing the project with A as C herself was unable to provide help to B in the project and only A could help out B with the project in order not to miss the deadline for the project.
Hey Zhuli
ReplyDeleteyea agreed that this scenario is a bit too complicated, with all the A,B,C ard it sounds like a math puzzle...zzz.
i think in this case, B should shoulder the responsibilities as a mediator. Its a group project after all, people should not bring in their personal affairs into something that involves others, its inconsiderate. In this case, i also think they should sit down, calm down and have a 'professional'talk. B should tell A and C that well this is a grp project and people should all play his/her part, if A and C are having problems they can deal with it some other time, haha of course in a more tactful way.
Also as a good friend of C, B could also help them solve the bgr problem, but, well, i dont think this kind of problem can be solved by others tho.
On a side note, capability shouldnt be the reason why B is discussing with A, because if we want to do the project well, everyone gotta play his/her part.
Hi Zhu Li,
ReplyDeleteAn important project and grades are at stake here. If there are too many personal feelings involved, group work may not be as effective, as internal problems are likely to arise and time is wasted due to this. I think C is being immature and insensible as it is not possible for a member to stop talking with another member. Being emotional and sensitive does not do any good, and being professional will serve the group better.
Since A is better at the subject, it is good to get help from him for the benefit of the group. B should not waste so much time listening to C’s problems. She should be honest with C, and tell her that she has to put her personal problems aside and focus on the work that has to done. Something can be done by B to patch things up between A and C, so that the project will be more effective. B should voice her problems about working in the group to both A and C, so that they know how much they are affecting her, and may reconcile for the sake of the project.
Hi Zhu Li,
ReplyDeleteI am stumped by your problem too, haha. BGR problems are the worst! It sounds like C is still emotionally affected by the situation, and some people tend to be overwhelmed by them to the point that they can't separate work from play. I don't completely blame her... it's only natural after all. But in any case I think it's hard for B to get a win-win situation.
I guess the best she can do is to try telling C nicely that work and personal matters should be kept apart, while at the same time showing that she cares about C. Personally, I wouldn't try mediating both of them because probing into others' personal conflicts can end up making things worse. Lend a listening ear, but let them work it out themselves.