Team Decision Making.   Managing & working on teams the procedures being used must be known, shared and understood. What are often seen as ‘personality conflicts’ are usually just people with unknown work procedures.

1. Helping Teams Work 3 of 12
Making Team
Decision Through
Consensus
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2. Hello – I’m Mike Cardus of
Create-Learning Team
Building & Leadership. An
expert in creating &
sustaining high
performance teams.
www.create-learning.com

3. Do’s and Don’ts For Dealing With Resistance To Your Project
Identifying Reasons People May Resist Your Project
Recognizing Resistance To Your Project
Is Your Data Persuasive?
Influence Strategies
Dealing With Team Problems
Dealing With Difficult Team Members
Handling Team Conflict Through Compromising vs. Consensus-Seeking
Conflict Management Approaches
Making Team Decision Through Consensus
Running the Team Meeting
Team Leaders’ Biggest Team Meeting Mistake
www.create-learning.com

4. Team Decision Making
Managing & working on teams the
procedures being used must be
known, shared and understood.
What are often seen as ‘personality
conflicts’ are usually just people with
unknown work procedures.
www.create-learning.com

5. Choosing what decisions require just the
team leader
(Unilateral)
Or
Needs input from the team – BUT the team
leader, who is accountable for the output of
the team, makes the decision
(Consultative)
Or
The entire team will share and then decide
AS A TEAM what to do
(Group) …
Requires planning and forethought.
www.create-learning.com

6. Consensus:
The issue is discussed in detail; with each member
getting a chance to air his/her views and tries to
influence others. The decision is shaped and modified
to reflect different members views.
Members hold out until the team reaches a decision
they can support, even if it wasn’t their first choice.
 The issue is very important.
 Buy-in from the entire team is required.
 The differing perspectives of the team members
can be combined to create a better solution.
 There is enough time for detailed discussion and
debate.
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8. Key Principle
Used appropriately, consensus is a decision-making approach that can result in high-
quality decisions that the entire team supports and works to implement. Used
inappropriately, it can be a huge waste of time and a source of frustration.
Examples of decisions for which consensus is appropriate:
o Setting project goals
o Selecting a process for implementation of the goals
o Picking a time for the team to meet
Examples of decisions for which consensus is inappropriate:
 Determining what method to use for reporting data and information.
 Deciding which location, clients, employees to use for audits and policy changes.
 Selecting how / where to print paperwork
Tips for reaching consensus
□ Don’t just sell your idea…ask questions.
□ Seek ways to address concerns of all…look for the “win/win” opportunities.
□ Search for core issues: what’s important to the other person?
□ Listen with an open mind.
□ Try arguing the other side to ensure your really understand it.
□ Don’t allow any member to dominate.
□ Hold out for more discussion if you don’t agree.
Notes:
Making Team Decisions Through Consensus
www.create-learning.com

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10. Who Should be at the Decision Making Meeting
Often the wrong people and too many people are in the meeting.
Being thoughtful about the type of meeting, and the decision to
be made…will force you to think about who really has to be
there. It is a waste of everyone’s time to call people into a
Decision Making meeting that should not be there.
Consider;
 The decision to be made
 The type of meeting
 How much time will be allotted
 When the final project and solution must be implemented
 Who has the proper and necessary context, knowledge and
ability to add to the decision
 Do they really need to be there?
www.create-learning.com

11. Do’s and Don’ts For Dealing With Resistance To Your Project
Identifying Reasons People May Resist Your Project
Recognizing Resistance To Your Project
Is Your Data Persuasive?
Influence Strategies
Dealing With Team Problems
Dealing With Difficult Team Members
Handling Team Conflict Through Compromising vs. Consensus-Seeking
Conflict Management Approaches
Making Team Decision Through Consensus
Running the Team Meeting
Team Leaders’ Biggest Team Meeting Mistake
www.create-learning.com

12. Helping Teams Work 3 of 12
Making Team
Decision Through
Consensus
www.create-learning.com