Win or Lose: DECISION MAKING

DECISION MAKING

Decision making is a critical part of the problem-solving process. In a group, individuals need to feel that their voice has been heard so that they can "buy" into the group’s decision. The method you use to reach a decision for or with your group will determine the support for that decision later on, whether it was a good one or a bad one.

Consensus

Let’s consider a possible decision-making situation. At the end of the year the photography club finds

it has an unexpected surplus of $500. The club is split between holding an end-of-the-year picnic or

investing the money in needed equipment for the dark room. The club president believes in the "democratic" tradition and puts the matter to a majority vote to resolve the conflict.

This may be democratic, but it is not effective leadership. Group decisions made by voting are win/lose situations and are detrimental to group productivity. A decision that leaves a little more than half of the group’s members winners also leaves a disgruntled minority of losers. This leads to tension in the group, and decision making becomes competitive within the group.

Win/lose situations interfere with listening; decrease sensitivity to other members; destroy creativity. A better approach to the voting problem is a win/win situation, a technique called consensus. The group members, after a thorough discussion, agree on one or more alternatives. An individual member may not see the final decision as his or her favorite, but it is a good one that he or she will be able to live with and support.

Achieving a Win/Win Situation:

Method #1

	The problem (or decision) at hand should be defined as a mutual problem that stands in the way of reaching commonly shared goals.
	Every member must actively participate in the process. All group resources should be used.
	All members should be effective communicators, willing to listen, understand, and appreciate all ideas and viewpoints.
	Each spokesperson selects one or two ideas, solutions, or projects that were brought up in the small groups for discussion. The outer circle of representatives should remain silent. No one in the inner circle should ask questions of those on the outside.
	After 10 minutes of discussion the spokespersons return to their small groups. Representatives tell them about any important points they missed, how they felt about the other groups’ ideas, and anything else that may contribute to a decision.
	Spokespersons then return to the circle to work out a final decision, keeping in mind the opinions of their small groups.

Method #2

	Each member of the group (for sake of example, say there are 16) lists in order of importance, the six (also arbitrary number) possible solutions, ideas, or projects they would like to see the group select.
	Eight groups of two people each are formed. Each group should list its six solutions, using the ones developed by the individuals as their basis for discussion.
	Four groups of four people are formed. Each group again ranks the six top solutions, using what each group of two developed as the basis for discussion.
	Two groups of eight follow the same procedure as above.
	Finally, the group is reunited as one, and all 16 (or however many members there are) individuals discuss until they come up with one final list or item.

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Send questions about this website to Denise Davies at ddavies@ag.arizona.edu. For course information or questions not included in these pages contact Dr. James Knight. Copyright (c) 1998 Department of Agricultural Education, The University of Arizona. Website version 1.2, last updated on Thursday, August 16, 2001.