How To Work Effectively As A Group When Making Decisions

Course 6 of the Decision-making and Problem-solving for Business Program

What you'll learn
recognize the value of learning from the mistakes of other ineffective problem-solving and decision-making groups
identify characteristics of ineffective problem-solving and decision-making groups
select valid group dynamics problems
recognize benefits of establishing and maintaining an effective problem-solving group
identify strategies to maintain a team's engagement while it resolves a business problem
analyze the strategies used by a team leader to enhance group communication
apply strategies for handling a difficult team member
recognize benefits of using effective group problem-solving techniques
analyze the effectiveness of a group using the alternative worldview method of group problem diagnosis
select effective group brainstorming strategies
analyze the effectiveness of a team leader employing techniques to overcome groupthink
analyze the effectiveness of a team using the nominal group technique to make a business decision
identify effective strategies to use during a decision follow-up meeting
Requirements
no special requirements or prerequisites
Description
Welcome! This is the Group Problem Solving and Decision Making course, and this is the sixth course of the Decision-making and Problem-solving for Business series."Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." –Margaret Mead, anthropologistYou won't find the most valuable assets of any problem-solving organization on a balance sheet. You don't need a lot of money or staff to be successful.The most important assets of any problem-solving organization are its people. And the way to make sure that your people are the most valuable assets you have is by making sure that they're effective when working together as a group. Effective group problem solving starts with understanding how people work best.In the end, capital and technology amount to nothing if your organization doesn't establish a thriving network of people committed to decision-making success.Information-sharing teamOn an information-sharing team, people pass around data at the behest of an authority figure. After an essentially gratuitous examination of the material, members hand it back and watch the "ruler" make a decision. This type of team could be viewed as being similar to a dictatorship.Participative teamOn a participative team, the leader encourages input from and a joint decision by all group members. This type of team operates in a democratic fashion. In fact, participative teams–not those run by corporate dictators–are far more effective. Sometimes this participation happens effortlessly.But more often than not, it requires taking risks. By the end of this course, you'll be ready to go out on the decision-making limb with the rest of your team. You're about to learn how to avoid falling prey to inefficient group problem-solving habits. You'll also learn specific ways to improve overall group decision making.That’s it! Now, go ahead and push that “Take this course” button and see you on the inside!

Overview

Section 1: Group Problem Solving and Decision Making

Lecture 1 Course Overview

Lecture 2 How to Spot an Ineffective Problem-solving Group

Lecture 3 What Ineffective Teams Do Wrong

Lecture 4 Group Dynamics Problems

Lecture 5 General Strategies for Improving Group Success

Lecture 6 Maintaining Team Engagement 1

Lecture 7 Maintaining Team Engagement 2

Lecture 8 Enhancing Group Communication 1

Lecture 9 Enhancing Group Communication 2

Lecture 10 Handling Difficult Team Members 1

Lecture 11 Handling Difficult Team Members 2

Lecture 12 Better Group Decision Making

Lecture 13 Diagnosing Problems 1

Lecture 14 Diagnosing Problems 2

Lecture 15 Group Brainstorming

Lecture 16 Eliminating the Enemy: Groupthink 1

Lecture 17 Eliminating the Enemy: Groupthink 2

Lecture 18 Using the Nominal Group Technique 1

Lecture 19 Using the Nominal Group Technique 2

Lecture 20 Holding a Decision Follow-up Meeting

Lecture 21 Job Aid - Enhancing Group Communication

Lecture 22 Job Aid - The Alternative Worldview Method

Lecture 23 Job Aid - Eliminating Groupthink

Lecture 24 Learning Aid - Peter's Team Approach

Lecture 25 Learning Aid - Michelle's Team Approach

Lecture 26 Learning Aid - Lora's Team Approach

Lecture 27 Learning Aid - Reginald's Decision-Making Group

Lecture 28 Recognizing Ineffective Team Practices

Lecture 29 Group Dynamics Problems

Lecture 30 Keeping Team Enthusiasm

Lecture 31 Smooth Team Communication

Lecture 32 Strategies for Handling Difficult Colleagues

Lecture 33 Using the Alternative Worldview Method

Lecture 34 Brainstorming for Options

Lecture 35 Eliminating Groupthink

Lecture 36 Using the Nominal Group Technique

Lecture 37 Reviewing Decisions

Lecture 38 Group Problem Solving and Decision Making

executives, managers, supervisors, team leaders, and other business professionals who want to enhance their ability to solve business problems and make effective personal and organizational decisions