Keeping Groups the Right Size
Groups work because they're focused. The most common way a Group loses its effectiveness is by growing too large or including people who aren't genuinely engaged with the Group's purpose. Managing membership well means being intentional about both who joins and who stays.
Adding Members
Add people to a Group when they have a clear role in what the Group is doing. Before adding someone, ask: will this person contribute to the Group's purpose, or will their presence dilute the focus? More members is not automatically better — the right members doing active work is what makes a Group valuable.
For ongoing Groups, consider whether new additions are replacing someone who has left or filling a genuine gap, rather than expanding the Group for its own sake.
Handling Inactive Members
In project or working Groups, inactive members create drag. They receive notifications, contribute nothing, and the Group loses its sense of active momentum. Reaching out to inactive members to check in is worthwhile. If they're no longer engaged, removing them (or offering them the option to step back) keeps the Group functional.
Removing Members
Remove a member when their presence is creating friction, when they've violated Group norms, or when the project or purpose the Group was built around has ended. Removal should be matter-of-fact rather than punitive — most reasons for removal are practical rather than personal.
Where possible, communicate directly with a member before removing them, especially if the reason is behavioural. Most issues can be addressed in conversation, and removal is more effective when it's a clear last step rather than a surprise first one.
