Being awkward – Is the ‘Awkward Squad’ an inevitable feature of a contentious consultation?

Experienced organisers of consultations are familiar with many caricatured groups of people.

The phrase Usual Suspects is often used to describe those who can be relied upon to appear in all weathers and offer their views with enthusiasm on even the most boring subject. Many a consultor has forgiven them their foibles just because their presence avoids the embarrassment of empty halls or inadequate samples. But they have to be treated with some caution as they are rarely representative of the other group we identify as The Silent Majority!