Poor decisions are often made in the workplace every day due to a lack of clarity in the decision-making process, insufficient discussions and meetings to review decisions, and decisions being made without group involvement. Decisions made collectively are usually better and more effective, especially if the head of the organization clearly expresses the desire to involve the group in making these decisions. It is also very important for the head of the organization to be clear about the approach they plan to use for decision-making, their motivations, and to establish realistic expectations about the roles of the various members of the organization. There are five distinctive ways to reach an effective collective decision and avoid the negative consequences of making an ill-considered decision within the organization.1. Consensus on a Specific DecisionConsensus decisions are those on which all group members have clearly expressed their support. This does not always mean that everyone agrees on all aspects of the proposed decision. However, these aspects can later be considered and categorized as “those that have not yet been agreed upon unanimously,” while work can begin on the aspects that received consensus from all individuals. If the meeting is virtual, where discussions may be intermittent, the head of the organization should consider the time they will spend with the group in the online meeting and when it may be necessary to conduct a separate survey or discussion outside the meeting.2. Obtaining ApprovalObtaining the approval of group members on a particular decision is akin to needing permission from each individual before proceeding with the discussion of other decisions in the meeting. For example, the meeting may include representatives from several functions within the nonprofit organization, such as marketing, human resources, and customer service.

In this case, all representatives need to agree on the important details related to launching a key new service within the organization. If the group does not receive approval from one of the representatives on a specific plan, that plan may not be launched as originally intended. Hence, the head of the organization should identify the points on which all group members agree and ensure that everyone is aware of the outcomes of the approval or disapproval. They should also ask those who did not agree on a specific decision to specify exactly which aspects need to be considered and amended to obtain their approval in the end.3. CompromiseReaching a compromise is akin to negotiation or settlement. The head of the organization should have a prior idea of the views of the meeting participants, either through interviews, online conversations, or otherwise. During the meeting, the head of the organization should openly acknowledge the areas where compromises may be necessary to reach an agreement that satisfies all parties, and ask participants to propose possible middle-ground ideas, either through verbal discussion or online discussion. If more discussion is needed after this meeting, the head of the organization should ask for volunteers to put forward options for the team to consider as soon as possible.4. VotingCounting votes is one of the common ways in which decisions are made, although it is somewhat weak. In this context, adequate time should be allocated for reasonable discussion beforehand, either online or in a previous meeting. Voting itself can also be conducted in advance and without the need for the internet (either anonymously or publicly), determining whether the voting on a particular decision should be unanimous or whether the majority opinion will prevail. Careful planning for this voting is necessary, especially if some participants have undue influence on the votes of others.5. ConsultationThe team leader should clarify that they are simply seeking to obtain the opinions of all participants in the meeting regarding a specific decision and explain how and by whom it will be made. If the meeting is online, the head of the organization may request inputs from group members using various online meeting tools. If participants can learn each other's opinions and make correct decisions based on them, it is likely to benefit the organization as a whole. Ultimately, the head of the organization must choose the appropriate method they can adopt to reach an accurate and effective collective decision. They should also explain precisely how group members will be involved before, during, and after the meeting in the decision-making process. They should mention the various aspects of what will result from the collective decision. When arriving at the appropriate decision, everyone should be informed. The more group members understand how the decision was made, the more likely they are to desire full participation in future decision-making.

————————————–Source: GuideStarAuthor: Wild Apricot