post analysis of a team meeting

Meeting should always have agenda. So that distractions can be parked well. Also the necessary points can be discussed and sorted out with open communications.
No judgements. Did you hear everyone well?

Did you hear them well?
There is a general feeling of unrest because people don’t like change and surprises.
The team wants processes and well defined requirements and all necessary inputs are to be available before work starts.
Well defined requirements.
They want to focus on implementation only and make it as easy and straight forward as possible. No dependencies or changes that may disrupt the deadlines.
If changes happen then it should not affect appraisals.
At POC stage design and testing reviews are not necessary, it’s a overhead but if its put as a task in tracking then it can be followed up.
We are not getting to do what they like to do and therefore resent being part of this setup.
My career is not getting along as I want it to and please do something about it.
I think we are fine with what we do and there is no need for more.


Once processes start they will complain about too much focus on processes like documentation and tracking and we are not able to find time for work.


Why are you feeling upset?
It went into baby talk "I want this" and why don’t I get this and If I don’t get this then I don’t feel good?
I am not wanted by the team and I am alone and unloved therefore my chest should be tight and I am allowed to be aggressive and defend my turf.

Am I really alone and unloved and unwanted? Is it really my self-worth, my self-esteem, my self. I don’t think so. A definite NO. God loves me, friends like me and family is always there for me.

Root cause
I can keep reiterating the below but will it alleviate of their problems.

Why is it not clear that we are all in a business context? Why do we get lost in technology and start correlating our worth to what we know or not of technology?
If we have to survive in this market then we need to add business value to the company because in turn the company needs to generate business value for its stakeholders (customers, shareholders, employees).
What is your business value? Is it worth and equivalent to what you are paid for?
How can you enhance or deplete your business value?

Solution
You can listen more and help them process their insecurities more by asking them to explore and express themselves. Assurance can be about safe career bet and stable career.
Ask them
Are they insecure about their career?
Are they insecure about their peers?
Are they insecure about their financial status?
Are they insecure about their business value? Is it directly related to technology/language or domain etc.,
Is this an unhealthy team setup where you are not encouraged and allowed to express yourself well?Are you heard properly?

loss of business context

I was feeling good and thought my feel good factor will rub against the team but it ended being defensive about addressing personal issues and why they are important to me? The general feedback was I am of importance and I should be treated so. I dont know and dont care about what you say because this is what I have heard and this is what I think is to be true and therefore I want to pursue that.
What is business context and what does it mean to me? Why am I working for this company if they cannot address my personal needs?
In future you could deflect such questions by humor if they are not part of the agenda.
I have ended up having to defend aggressively that we are all here because of this company and this company wants to make money and therefore we should contribute for the same. Personal needs can be accommadated but it requires some efforts and changes that may not be easy to come by.
I started by discussing the variability and constantness in the design and in every phase of software lifecycle and how it can help individual to become experts in their field of liking. And if you like something then you will find the time to pursue that. Was I trying too hard to put across this point because I have tried it before and always had same result where people continue with their angst and it keeps recurring again and again.
How can we work in a team that has constant change and transitions?