Group Decison Making That Works

Summary

In this insightful talk, Edward Musio, CEO of Group Harmonics, explores effective group decision-making methods. He outlines various models, including consensus, democratic, dictatorial, consultative, and group consultative methods. Emphasizing the need for a 'disagree and commit' contract, Musio explains how this approach fosters unity and compliance within the team, even amidst differing opinions. Team members are encouraged to share rationales, align resources, and seek contrary evidence without sabotaging decisions. This structured process enhances the quality of decisions and prepares groups for future challenges, ensuring informed and cohesive outcomes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first step in effective group decision-making is to choose the decision-making model.
• 🤝 Consensus decision-making requires full agreement from all members, making it slow and often impractical.
• 🗳️ The Democratic method allows majority rule, which may overlook valuable expertise from dissenting members.
• 👔 The Dictatorial method centralizes decision-making in the leader, ignoring input from the team.
• 🗣️ The Consultative model involves the leader consulting with team members, but it may still miss broader insights.
• 🔄 The Group Consultative model promotes open communication among all members, requiring a good meeting process.
• 📜 Establishing a 'disagree and commit' contract helps align the team after a decision is made, regardless of individual opinions.
• 🔍 Team members should explain the rationale for decisions positively, emphasizing collective ownership.
• ⚖️ Resource alignment ensures 100% compliance with the decision’s implementation by all team members.
• 📂 Continued evidence gathering allows team members to seek contrary information while supporting the decision, improving future decision-making.

Q & A

What is the first step in group decision-making according to Edward Musio?

The first step is to decide how the group will make decisions.

What is consensus decision-making?

Consensus decision-making is a process where every individual's vote is equal, and no change is made until everyone agrees, which can be slow.

How does the Democratic method of decision-making differ from consensus?

In the Democratic method, if enough people vote 'yes' on a change, it can proceed even if some individuals vote 'no', while still treating everyone as equals.

What is a potential drawback of the Democratic method?

A potential drawback is that it may not adequately weigh the expertise of individuals within the group.

What is the consultative model of decision-making?

In the consultative model, the manager consults with team members to gather input before making a decision.

What is a key limitation of the consultative model?

The consultative model may overlook the expertise of team members, especially if the issue is complex.

What is the 'disagree and commit' approach?

'Disagree and commit' means that team members agree to support a decision, regardless of their personal agreement, by explaining the rationale, aligning resources, and seeking contrary evidence without sabotaging the decision.

Why is it important for team members to seek contrary evidence even after a decision is made?

It is important to gather contrary evidence to inform future decision-making processes, especially if the current decision does not work out.

What is the significance of having a contract before a consultative decision-making process?

Having a 'disagree and commit' contract ensures that all team members are on the same page regarding their support for the decision, which can lead to better outcomes and adherence.

What are the types of decision-making models mentioned in the script?

The decision-making models mentioned are consensus, Democratic, dictatorial, consultative, and group consultative.