The Type a personalities...ya Gotta Love 'Em!

Jill an Lisa are correct...

I just want to "stress". us Type A's love control. Even if I'm not the Lead in the project, I want to know what, how much, where my control begins and ends. If you tell me to find information on how to build a bird house...I'm going to freaking build a bird house. If you don't want the bird house built, you've got to tell me when you assign the task. If I don't get a beginning and ending set of rules I'm running with it and doing it my way.

Give them each tasks with a clear set of rules. If not you will most likely get more than you asked for. i.e. the bird house is done.

Added: And if you can avoid pairing them together...that is good as well.

I manage several type As at work, and I'm a type B.

The best approach is to let them feel in control and work on what they need to. Encourage autonomy.

If you have two folks with conflicting ideas, they need to resolve the issue TOGETHER...without you. Otherwise, you'll have a constant battle with you in the middle over who's idea is better. If you let them come to a compromise, they both walk away feeling fulfilled.

If they have ideas for furthering a project, let them take control and do it.
Your role as a "leader" is to ensure the end goal is met and on time.
Let the people you're leading work in the way that they need to, and encourage autonomy.

I am going to respectfully disagree with Sue H., only because a bunch of competitive women in one room "airing their grievances" will produce "The Drama Bomb Heard 'Round The World." It will end in hurt feelings, walkouts, tears and when it is over these women will then come to you to discuss what was said in the meeting, in private. Exponentially worse.

What I would do is speak to their competitive nature and pride. Restructure the project by assigning specific tasks that play to the strengths of the individuals. There are probably clicks in the group, put them together on a specific portion of the task so they are only working with people they get along with.

Something like this:

"Mary, I have noticed that you are a very artsy and creative person and that you work really well with Jodie and Melanie. I think you would be the perfect person to do the (whatever creative task the project involves) and I think Jodie and Mel would be the perfect team for you. If you were in charge of this I would know it was in good hands and would take a huge worry off my plate. How do you feel about that, and will you go with me to talk to Jodie and Mel?

Then everyone will be busy outdoing each other on their specific task and not fighting with each other about the SAME task.

That's what I would do. Hope this helps.

L.

How can Type A people be annoying?!?! J/K. I'm one of them. :)

Type A's like rules, clear expectations, and defined leadership roles.

I like Lisa's response. Butter me up, define who the leader of the task is, and give me a good group to work with.

I LOVE to give ideas and I just want to be heard. For both of these groups, can you make a suggestion box/email address? Then the women can submit ideas/suggestions, feel heard, and the ideas are in writing and can be saved. The leaders of the group can pull from the "suggestion box" when they feel it is relevant. They can be kept for future reference.

Just another "idea!" :)

schedule a forum or meeting to address issues on a regular basis. During the mtg, clearly state that if anyone has ideas, questions, & concerns....then they need to be addressed as a "whole" & not individually. & most importantly, stress the importance of teamwork! Good Luck!

If you are chairing a meeting and people are talking over each other, say "It sounds like people have a lot of ideas. That's great! Let's have one meeting, so we don't lose anything in these side conversations. Let's get everything out on the table and then we can choose the best path that the majority of us agree on." If people come to you afterwards, say "We need to discuss this with the group and not go back on a decision made in the meeting. I'm all for improving the project with better ideas, but if we work outside the committee, it can invalidate their role and make people less likely to volunteer for the next program." If it's getting catty, then say, "I understand your feelings but I really don't want to get into personalities. We have too much work to do and we all need to serve the same purpose." Most importantly, don't get sucked up into the gossip or issues that don't relate to the project.

It sounds like people view you as a sympathetic ear, which is a good quality. But be sure they aren't trying to enlist you on to their side so that they can counter any resistance elsewhere by saying, "Well, I talked to P.S. about it and she agrees with me."

All great responses, wow! you girls are good!

One other small thing I would add is that when I am placed in your kind of position, I try think of myself as Teflon! I watched a good friend do this through many meetings and everyone went away happy. He was excellent at listening to every concern and making each person feel their opinion was important and valid...BUT he was like Teflon and all the disagreements just rolled right off of him.

Takes a bit of practice but helps YOU maintain your peace. Good luck!

Sounds like my mom and her sisters! We finally figured out they just want to be doing something and in charge of it. The "it" does not really matter just as long as they are in charge of there small project. So I suggest that you hand out projects to each woman and tell them they are in charge of getting X done. If they need help i would group them together in teams and place a leader in each team. Stating if there is a need the leader of each group will come to you with ideas. Controlling people love organization....or even if it only seems organized. Good luck. Hope this helps you.