When The Group Doesn't Jive

We've all been there.  
The group's been together over a year now and things just don't seem right.  Johnny's SO ANNOYING - he's late, he's loud, and he repeats himself all the time!  Adam doesn't let the DM speak - no one knows what's going on, and Alex is *still* on his phone looking up cat videos.  We've fought beholders together, yet we're still not...blending.

When a scenario like this presents itself, it's important to take a step back and recognize one big circumstance and answer a question: is it something about today, or has this been a trend?  If the former, take a deep breath.  Let go of the things that linger, and urge the group to join you in this; you'll all be better for it, and it might help alleviate a few things on people's minds.  Everyone's allowed an off-day.
  If the latter, still take a deep breath, but there might be reason to explore the various facets that can affect a group's alignment (not mechanical alignment, mind you).

Personalities

This one's up front because it's the most persistent, and holds up a realistic truth: not all people get along.  But it's the WHY that's important, and a personality misalignment is often expressed in MANY ways.  It's complicated, which is why it is difficult to explore, but once a player becomes self-aware and cognizant of their own personality or incongruence with others, changes begin to manifest.
  Awareness goes a long way, and a growth mindset will aid you.  It could be as little as the way you say hello, or your brand of particular-ness.  Reflection is important in all walks of life - use it.

But there are a few more specific elements that one can consider in the group and in life that may augment your perspective at the table.

Assuming Intent (especially negative)

We reference The Four Agreements quite a lot in the Podcast and in this blog, but SERIOUSLY dudes, it's because it keeps coming up.  Inferences are important - they take facts and observable factors, coupled with experience, and help you navigate your world efficiently.  However, assumptions about people, their intentions, and intended effects in interpersonal situations...cause pain and misunderstanding.
  I've had conversations with people where it seems we come to a mutual understanding...only to have them rewrite their own narrative and assume wide-reaching intent, returning angry and confused.  I try my best to be Impeccable With My Word - make sure that I am clear and up front - only to have others assume something very different.  Assumptions like this at the table only sew misunderstanding and discord.  Take people at their word, and if you must assume, give them the benefit of the doubt.

Pace, "The Plot", and Obsession With YOUR Story

When you are playing, you are furthering "The Plot."  That is all.
  That plot can be role-play heavy, group discussion, combat-driven, a big blender mix of everything...  Whatever you decide to engage in at the table...is the Plot of this GROUP STORY.  It cannot, and will not, ever be all about you.
  The speed, or pace, of this story is decided on by the players.  The DM is the guide, but not the impending sword-of-damacles wall pushing you in a direction.  I've got hooks and floating elements for ya'll, but if you spend 3 hours shopping and everyone's having a good time, then that's the episode, and that's great too.  From a player's perspective, placing emphasis on "your story" over everyone else's invalidates the group story, and in case you haven't noticed, this is a GROUP GAME.  Now, some players may have more spotlight at certain times than others, and that's totally cool, but that doesn't mean that before that spotlight wasn't also "the plot."
  If you must be in the spotlight, share it; invite others to come along (they can always refuse).  If your character is already doing something, avoid jumping into another person's activity.  This is a shared experience...share it.

Flow and Resistance + Contributions and Withdrawals

Sessions that just plain CLICK are my ultimate goal as a DM.  Everybody's rolling, everybody's all in, the rapport is awesome, and everything just...flows.  Achieving Flow is described as reaching a supreme "lack of resistance" with the players.  Tiny rulings, circumstances, voices, characterization, pace, style...it all works and everyone has invested in each element in play, creating a worthwhile flow.
  Resistance is felt when players clash over rulings, there's a misalignment of play style, roles, and any moment where things grind to a halt.  Sometimes resistance is necessary to clarify rulings and understanding, but there is a particular balance inherent in such clarification, which demands that you ask yourself a very important question:  Does it matter?  Sometimes we focus too much on micro; take a step back and see if, in the macro, does it matter if the word you use is points or slots?  No?  Then use what you need and remove your ego from the situation.  If it DOES matter, then talk through it, and if your overruled...get over it.  You can address it again outside of the game.

The other half of this has to do with contributing to the experience of the group or withdrawing from it.  This is most often felt when we joke around in the middle of play - which is awesome, by the way.  BUT, a quick quip in the middle of a scene contributes to group play, but pulling up a youtube video to show everyone in the middle of a scene withdraws from it.  These two sides of the same coin show respect for everyone's play and disrespect for everyone's play.  It's a balancing act, and one that will have missteps of course, but must be a skill that is cultivated.  If you find a player, or players, are withdrawing from the game (or pulling others to withdraw), it is worth a conversation.  Remember, it isn't the jokes, it's the longer, tangental withdrawal, especially if other players are bothered by it.  If that's the type of game you agreed to, alright then, but if NOT, check yourself. 
Ultimately, if it goes against the social contract...  Don't do it.  I'll say it again, this is a group game.

Antagonists In The Party and None Of Us Are Perfect

If players are escalating each other, and failing to take responsibility for such actions, instead citing the other as the problem...  Congratulations, you're kindergartners.  I'm so proud.  Take responsibility for your own actions; if you're perpetually late, fix that.  If you seem to clash with another player, discern why (don't just let it sit there, this is an opportunity to grow), and ACT on it.  If you always cite others as the problem, and evidence suggests the contrary, then you might be playing victim - own that and grow up.  
  This might seem like some tough love right now, but a role-playing group is a vulnerable thing.  Playing with others can be hard, and this setting is especially beautiful in how accepting it can be.  I am so honored to have cultivated a community that legitimately cares about its members and their wellbeing, mental health included, and am horrified when I hear of the awful experiences people have come from.  And yet, none of us are perfect.  We are all seeking our best selves through play with others, and because we all come from different places, there are bound to be some clashes.  These moments, as difficult as they might be, are opportunities to grow, pivot, and reflect.  And the community will be there to help you.

  However, if you find yourself UNWILLING to grow or adapt to smooth things over, if it rallies against your own concept of yourself and "you've tried everything," then maybe this isn't the group for you.  Sometimes taking space IS the best course of action; removing yourself from the situation gives context and perspective where none were present before.  
Luckily, we DO exist in a space where there is always another group to try.  :).  We'll wait for you.

See you at the table.
- Adamus

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