Working with other people is just part of almost every single job.  And you probably work as part of a team and rely on other team members to do their job so that you can do yours.  If you have worked with these people long enough you probably know their strengths and weaknesses and how much of an effort to expect from them.

But special or one-time group projects, with people you do not always work with, can be very irritating.  You now have to deal with other personalities, those who do not want to pull their weight, a power struggle, and your group members’ schedules.

Here are some tips for making an uncomfortable situation a little easier.

1.  Be honest.  Take a few minutes at the first encounter and ask every group member to share some information.  Tell the group how much time you have to devote to the project.  Inform them of your strengths, as well as your opportunities or inexperience.  Most importantly, if something in particular has bothered you during every prior group project, tell your current group!  For example, if you hate when others waste your work time by telling lengthy personal stories, you might say something like:  “Because our time is precious, I ask that we please keep the focus on the project each time we meet.  If we get off the topic, I will steer us back in the right direction.  Is that alright with everyone?”
2. Control your control issues.  You may be the most experienced member on the team and it may be easier for you to just do it yourself.  But do not!  If you are worried that deadlines will not be met or that the final product will not have the quality that you usually produce, these are common concerns.  But the more people you have on your team, the less likely that this will happen.   If you are really that nervous about it, assign yourself or someone else the task of sending reminders to the team before important dates approach.
3. Participate.  So, you don’t like these people.  Or you are intimidated by them.  Or you are too busy or have nothing to learn from them or whatever.  Stop making excuses and do your part.  The less work you do, the more work the other team members have to do in your absence.  (There is always at least one group member who will report back to the manager about individual performance.  If for no other reason, participate because it is your job.)
4. Be considerate.  Remember, it is not just about you.  Be polite to the other team members by responding to emails promptly and answering questions professionally.  Especially if you are new to the position or the organization, your performance on this project is the basis of your professional reputation.

You were assigned to this project for a reason, so try to take something away from the experience.  Learn from your seasoned coworkers or teach the new employees what you have learned along the way.  Be open to feedback and other opinions.  You may actually make some lasting connections and learn something!