Thursday, March 19, 2009
Decision Making
Using our exam grade to bring about this decision making experiment was an excellent idea. When everyone's concerned about their grades they tend to put more effort into ideas and ways to make their score higher. From the slide of "How people handle conflict" my position followed an order of compete to win, avoidance, compromise, then collaborating. At the beginning when we were told we can decide the changes we want for our grade and the test format I was prepared and ready thinking of ideas and solutions. But then the class went went crazy, people started to shout and scream their own ideas. At that point I was in the avoidance stage because the ones that were shouting helped me expressed my position of what I wanted. Dropping the lowest grade and change the format into MC majority questions so I just sat back. Then as the problem went on, the disagreements continued and the time was running out, we still haven't agreed on anything yet. That was when the compromising and collaborating stage came in. I decided to take a look at other options out there on the broad and agreed on something of what I wanted what some other people wanted with short answers and true or false questions. I made changed my standing slightly so we can come to a conclusion sooner. At that point the collaborating also occurred where we had to bargain with the ones that were standing strong on their wants and negotiate a compromise. I changed my standing position because of the time we have left and we still haven't come up with an agreement. Overall, the process was hard and pressured when we have till the end of the class to come up with a decision where everyone agree on. When I think over the situation now, I think my position would be focused on compromising and collaborating because with a huge group of people it's impossible to come up with a solution if you don't give up something for the good of the whole. Compromising is the best solution to all problems. As long as the other side doesn't get all of what they want you won't feel cheated or unfair.
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Wow... you really knew how to identify which methods you chose to handle conflict. It seems the current plan worked out for you. Its good, I am also satisfied with it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding compromise being the best solution for all problems, I am going to have to disagree with you. Perhaps it works for you at all times, but for me it doesn't always work. I also think that the other methods are very important in the decision making process. Compete to win, because it feels too good when you have it your own way. Avoidance, because certain things are just worthless and don't even need not a bit of effort to put in. But you are right, compromise and collaborating are definitely the most important ones, those were the ones I chose as well.
Maggie, I agree with you and I think the approach I took was very similar to yours. Having said that I definitely disagree with Stefania. Making a decision in a group is all about compromised just like you said. I must say I think it is kind of arrogant thinking of yourself as a team member but not caring about other input. You absolutely cannot make a decision, as a group without the willingness to comprising. Everyone's input should count not only your own, right! I do agree that other decision-making processes are valuable and just as important but I don't think ‘compete to win’ tactic would have worked well in this situation. Considering that I think making a decision in a group is all about compromising I think you chose the right decision making tactic.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you summarized and titled the whole process of decision making. I was also taken aback by how the processed flowed.
ReplyDeleteLike you mention it, at first there is complete chaos and one doesn't think any resolution will be formed. The clock keeps ticking and there's still a shouting match going on. Finally, like you mention it a sense of compromise is reached by everyone almost spontaneously, with only a minute to spare. Amzazing how that happened.