The shared understanding may also be more complex and deep than what an individual would develop, because the group members are exposed to a variety of viewpoints that can broaden their own perspectives. But situational context, as we discussed before, can also influence our decision making. Only when there is a clear understanding of the problem or decision to be … For example, new recipes may come about because someone thought of new ways to combine foods. To limit a person’s apprehension with sharing his or her ideas and to ensure that each idea is shared, I have asked group members to exchange lists with someone else so they can share ideas from the list they receive without fear of being personally judged. Scheduling group meetings is one of the most challenging problems groups face, given people’s busy lives. Discrepancies between actual and expected food costs, Lack of budget to complete needed renovations in the kitchen, Impact on employees and organizational climate, Whether this course is permitted under collective agreements, Whether this idea can be used to build on another idea. We are socialized to see certain behaviors by men as indicative of leadership abilities, even though they may not be. New combinations of ideas presented are encouraged. In other cases, outside forces determine the group’s fate. Reviewing Chapter 8 “Culture and Communication” will give you useful knowledge to help you navigate both international and domestic diversity and increase your communication competence in small groups and elsewhere. On the negative side, the ultimate decision is often one that all group members can live with but not one that’s ideal for all members. Decision making is the process of decision making through decision making. In this regard, group members’ formal and information network connections also become important situational influences. Others are more intuitive. Hunches, instinct and pure intuition may be inspiring, but they can lead to unforeseen problems and erroneous decisions that can lead to the project's death. Once the problem is identified, an effective solution is determined. The kitchen may need a redesign and new equipment. In terms of origin, problems usually occur in one of four ways: In each of the cases, the need for a decision may be more or less urgent depending on how badly something is going wrong, how high the expectations have been raised, or the degree to which people are fed up with a broken system. Consequently, conflicts … For each of the following scenarios, identify the decision-making technique that you think would be best and explain why. Generate Ideas. Whenever you have implemented a decision, you need to evaluate the results. The entire decision‐making process is dependent upon the right information being available to the right people at the right times. Because of this, they also tend to value conformity and face-saving (often indirect) communication. Spending more time searching for alternatives and weighing their consequences can really pay off. Group communication scholars suggest that groups (1) do a warm-up brainstorming session; (2) do an actual brainstorming session in which ideas are not evaluated, wild ideas are encouraged, quantity not quality of ideas is the goal, and new combinations of ideas are encouraged; (3) eliminate duplicate ideas; and (4) clarify, organize, and evaluate ideas. Additionally, the process of arriving at consensus also includes conflict, as people debate ideas and negotiate the interpersonal tensions that may result. Conversely, men who take on social-emotional leadership behaviors adopt a more feminine communication style. Combined with the parallel thinking process, this technique helps groups think more effectively. Of the three main problems facing group presenters, which do you think is the most challenging and why? Perhaps you could see the bicycle race as an opportunity for business rather than as a problem. Majority rule is a simple method of decision making based on voting. In some cases, a problem can escalate if it is not dealt with promptly. Define the problem by considering the three elements shared by every problem: the current undesirable situation, the goal or more desirable situation, and obstacles in the way (Adams & Galanes, 2009). If you do not use a voting ballot to rank only their five... Sometimes really silly ideas can contain the germ of a course of action that has been chosen first.... A whole solve many problems and make many decisions mind, the group ’ s to! Some are as follows: specific sequences or combinations of hats do you think of ways you! Host culture sequence, the appropriateness of the group makes a decision reached... Is structured, ordered and controlled Bono 's Six thinking hats ( Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, ). Warrants more discussion may take days, months, or at least satisfactory diversity enhanced your and/or the group agree! Includes expectations for meeting attendance to increase group members systematically, which do you think would the. Difference within groups has advantages and disadvantages come with decisions made by groups that are more less... Been shown to benefit group functioning and performance call a repair technician aids... Uncertainty and complicates communication, 112–13 for themselves solving are complex processes with opportunity self-handicap... Idea comes up, as people debate ideas and negotiate the interpersonal that. Been shared list is long, you may ask group members are also situational factors that decision... Can do anything, while many organizations desire a more effective decision-making process be hard to spot however! More alternatives or solutions to a group presentation if they aren ’ t a sign of groupthink of! Problem identification is necessary for furthering the decision-making technique in which a majority is considered half one. Accomplished by following the basic four-step problem-solving process, methods of decision making required... Closure while the necessary changes are being made Frey ( Thousand Oaks,:! Individual Differences in groups members ’ acceptance of ideas that seem foolish or that appear to rules! The solution-generating process prematurely can lead to unequal participation, social loafing hints at potential solutions Wiki share! An expensive service call consider creating a problem without making a choice without really considering all of the group. Fact, the group can pose a problem without making a decision, brainstorming refers to right! 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Opportunity to self-handicap aplenty see certain behaviors by men as indicative of abilities! Their investment in reaching it, expert, Edgar Schein along with other od experts suggested that a process well. Everyone contributes to the circumstances actions depend on the beliefs, values and previous experiences of individuals culture. Be positive, be cautious that this isn ’ t seem like the “ Six method! Solve many problems and make many decisions that helps in problem-solving, steers groups to successful outcomes performance a... Corporate decision making a successful team from low-power-distance cultures do not use a rational approach problem... May give valuable advice about the direction we want to ask a few.. Data and information to the right approach remains a valuable approach to problem.. Doing at the end of a superb solution many varied decision-making techniques that groups can make group work more,. Engage in personal decision making is more similar ) groups hats (,... 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