What I have found to be a great impediment is what I call "projections" and "imaginations". Let me explain.

Often people will project or imagine what the other persons desires and intents are without having fully explored the perceptions verbally to find out if what they are imagining is really true or not.

For example.........One of my now regular canoe partners early on was reluctant to go with me. Come to find out through conversing was that he was afraid that he would "slow me down". That I had "agendas" that he felt he would interfere with. I had to spend some time in dragging this info out of him as I couldn't understand his reluctance since we had been friends for many years.

In our situation he was not especially confident in his abilities and foreseen that if he did not "keep up" there would potentially be tension. Add in that he is a non-conflict type person this caused considerable angst on his part and thus his reluctance.

Much of his worry was imagined. That is why it is so important to talk about expectations. A good question to ask is "how disappointed will you be if we do not make the planned mileage each day"?

Once I found out that I was putting pressure on my pal through my eager planning of routes I could put his mind at ease. He found out it was sufficient enough for me to be out there and if/when he wanted to break or stop it was fine by me.......I had no agenda set in stone. The funny thing was is that he never was the slowpoke that he had envisioned but rather gained in strength as the trip went on.........now he goes regularly without concern.......and now we are quick to discuss expectations. Beware of projections and imaginations.......do not assume what the other people in your group are thinking.......draw them out and discuss things in a frank manner is my advice.