A groupie is a person associated with a team − not a member − who shadows and follows the team. In this context, the person is in charge of challenging and cross-pollinating ideas and the creative process of the team.
Oxford English Dictionary: 1967 Sun 22 Feb. 6/6 (Teenage terms) Groupy, a girl [sic] who follows the pop groups. 1969 Examiner (San Francisco) 29 Jan. 39 ‘The Groupies’-girls who chase boys in the rock groups – are now getting so way out in their adulation that the whole mess warrants a federal investigation.’
In practice
In the Norwegian architect company Snøhetta they use groupies in all projects. Groupies are most often colleagues, but may also include outside experts or other stakeholders. The groupie is expected to criticize, enrich, nurture and strengthen ideas and solutions and to provide suggestions for the project team to consider.
How it works
The key step enabling the groupie-concept to work is authentic performance. A rock-group without performance is a rock-group without groupies. The first step then, is to invite the team’s groupie to observe and listen to a certain performance, be it a presentation or a discussion.
As rock-groups allow rituals of interaction with their groupies, the team must set up rituals to interact with the groupies. After the presentation the groupies may for example be invited to share their comments and feedback on the content of the presentation. This is the feedback-
session.
Groupies are encouraged to elaborate on their thoughts, worries, needs and hopes for the project. Mirroring the rock-groupies screams and shouts, the groupies are particularly encouraged to challenge and advance bold statements and ideas.