Presentation or Meeting Monsters

In the normal day to day meetings we meet, interact, exchange pleasantries, etc. with fellow colleagues. However, when it comes to meetings we will be left with no clue as to what exactly these characters are ( at least initially). These people are like Jekyll and Hyde - amicable in privacy but hungry wolves in public. So, how well we should be armed to handle these meeting monsters? How should we handle their bothersome behavior. These types are categorized into 6 types:

The Monopolizer
To sum up in one word, this person perpetually suffers from an illusion that he is a know-all genius! This person thinks he or she is the only one with wisdom on subjects - not one, but ALL. The monopolizer believes everyone else is there to hear him or her speak, and so they do, non-stop. They don't appreciate that meetings or presentations offer an opportunity to hear from many. They prattle on and on, arrogantly acting as though their ideas or beliefs are inherently more important than others. Sadly other people shy away from contributing, intimidated by the monopolizer's stranglehold on the meeting. There is really no easy way to tackle this sort. The best is if there is a facilitator, he or she should, strongly discourage such behavior. The facilitator or even other meeting participants should indicate an interest in hearing from the speaker or others (if it is a group meeting), and to remind the monopolizer that others can speak as well as listen.

The Tangent Talker
These also suffer from delusions but are usually not as obnoxious as former. However, they are biggest time-wasters. It is because of these that meetings that need to be over in 30 minutes go on for 3 hrs. Yes, you guessed it right, this person hijacks the topic of the group by taking discussions off on tangents - topics unrelated to the issue at hand. One minute you're on topic and the next minute you're in "left field" as your agenda topic has been taken to a tangent. Your meeting chair's ability to recognize and refocus is essential to a productive meeting. "Let's remember to confine ourselves to the topic at hand" is a good way to get back on track. Alternately saying, "Let's try to avoid tangents" also labels such behavior as contrary to the group's aims. As well, you can "park" extraneous items in a "parking lot" list where they're noted, if only to be addressed later.

The Devil's Advocate
These are the ugly cousins of monopolizer. They are somewhat like the opposition parties in politics. Whatever the ruling part says we just have to oppose it - That's their primary motto. OK, let's face it, there's one such character in every presentation or meeting. This person seems to relish taking the opposite route. Whatever the argument being put forth, this person delights in taking an opposing view. It's sport for them, an exercise in opposition. The more unpopular the stance the more exciting their challenge. Watch out for them, they usually go around in group which eggs the culprit. If they are alone they are usually "well-behaved". The coterie gives strength to them and they basically play to the gallery. For e.g., if you are giving a presentation, they begin from slide one itself by saying "just for the sake of argument...I believe the opposite is true...." While there's value in looking at issues from multiple points of view and avoiding group think, the Devil's Advocate applies their technique to every issue, every argument and every conversation. Best way to handle them is to keep your cool, hold onto your thoughts. Sometimes offense is the best defense against them.

Thy Cynic
The ultimate naysayer, this person has a PhD degree in negativity. Their favorite phrase "I don't think it will work". If it's a group meeting, these characters are immensely skilled at deflating and defeating whatever motion is in motion. "Can't be done." "They'll never buy it." "We tried it once and it was a failure." Their motto: just say no. Challenge these people to think like The Devil's Advocate and suppose for that things could work. Use the common conflict resolution tool of asking them to embrace the other side's view as if it were their own, and argue that side's position. Since the cynic will never stop asking questions and goes on and on, the rest of the audience may begin to get antsy. At this point, just say to the cynic something like "Why don't you and I talk about that after the workshop?"

The Fence Sitter
These usually attend meetings or presentations either to sleep, or to eat the free breakfast/lunch, or they don't have a choice and are just forced to attend. These characters are unable to make decisions. Despite being in a deliberative body, they are conflicted by multiple arguments, and can't "pull the trigger" when it's time to make a decision in a meeting. They provide fodder for the Devil's Advocate, the Cynic and other characters with their ambivalence. Whether they are afraid of being wrong, or of disagreeing with someone else, or just going on record, they are a meeting monster for their inability to move the action forward. Try to cajole them to action. Remind them they have a vote and were invited to use it. Ask them their opinions on matters to draw them out and get them on record.

The Brown Noser
These are the boot-lickers or a**-lickers! And yes, there will be always one in every meeting. The person who is so obsequious, bending over backwards to ingratiate himself or herself to the boss, the meeting leader or other power broker. They're so busy currying favor with others they subvert whatever true feelings they have about issues to "kiss butt." They are seen to be in the pocket of the person they're cow-towing to. Ultimately they are seen for who they are and become predictable. Try to elicit their ideas and preferences before asking others as a way of drawing them out.

The Joker
These are nothing but court jesters or jugglers. Don't let their good nature fool you! These are like giggling teenagers watching an amorous picture. Their constant joking has the effect of diminishing others' serious ideas or suggestions. It makes the whole presentation look frivolous. The seriousness is lost. Their infusion of humor can belittle others' motions and makes it difficult for some to be taken seriously. There is a time and place for joking. While we all like a good laugh, constant joking disrupts a presentation and distracts attention from where it should be. Best way to handle them is to stop presenting and look at him/her for about 15 seconds! Most of the time that will leash these idiots.

Adapted in part from http://www.craigspeaks.com