• nitpicker

Attention to detail is fine but not to the point where it interferes with the progress of the meeting.

• devil’s advocate

No matter what view is put forward, there will always be some possible objection to it. Better to look for positive options and try and build solutions.

• the "yes" person/the fence sitter

Meetings need independent thinkers. Someone who agrees with everything is useless. So is the person who can’t ever take one side or the other.

• the management stooge

• the aggressive type

These people invariably believe that they are right, and try to railroad the meeting into accepting their view. But they often jump to conclusions, and try to rush meetings into decisions. A rushed decision is nearly always a second rate one.

• the silent one

Silence can be being used for many reasons: to show boredom, indifference; to imply that the other people at the meeting are all idiots; that this is a waste of my valuable time. Or, the person may be timid, cautious…may have valuable ideas that need to be brought out.

• the rambler

These people are often entertaining but disrupt the meeting and waste time.

• the politician

This person loves intrigue, back-room deals, "stitching people up"; his purpose in coming to the meeting is to see the results of his manoeuvring and manipulations. He regards outcomes as "wins" or "losses". As people like this are following personal agendas they rarely contribute anything of value to the group.

To avoid adopting these roles:

*Come prepared to each meeting. Even if you are not going to be in the chair, you can ensure that your contribution is effective. Read in advance any documents that are relevant. Decide on your objectives in the meeting. If necessary enlist support for ideas, proposals, beforehand. Know your opposition - if you know someone is going to speak against you be prepared, anticipate. (This is not the same as being a politician; it is just common sense).

*Listen while others are speaking. If necessary take notes. Ask questions, paraphrase and reflect to make sure you understand what others are saying. Be open-minded and receptive to ideas. Use body language to provide feedback.

*Contribute positively. Your reason for being at the meeting is not just to push your own agenda and knock down others but to help the group achieve its common goals. At the same time you have the right to express your views and to be heard fairly