1. Decision Making

2. Decision Making Styles
Directive Consultative Democratic Consensus
Controlling Empowering

3. Decision Making Style Directive – Leader Decides
Advantages
-Quick
-Easy
Disadvantages
-May not be the best answer
-Lack of support for the decision
Good examples for use
-Emergencies
-Support is not needed

4. Decision Making Style Directive – Consultative
Advantages
-Relatively fast
-Additional ideas were considered
Disadvantages
-Still may not be the best answer
-Lack of support for the decision
Good examples for use
-Limited time for making the decision

5. Decision Making Style Democratic – Majority Rules
Advantages
-Most people support
-Everyone had equal consideration
Disadvantages
-May not be the best answer
-Lack of support for the decision
Good examples for use
-Decision is not critical
-Large numbers of people are involved

6. Decision Making Style Consensus – Everyone Will Support the Decision
Advantages
-Provides the best answer
-Obtains the most support
Disadvantages
-Slow
-Not easy
Good examples for use
-Critical decisions
-When implementation could be difficult

7. Understanding Consensus
Does not equate to 100% agreement
Does equate to 100% support for the decision
Every person on the team must be able to say that they have
-Had a chance to speak
-Has spoken
-Has been heard

8. Keys for Reaching Consensus
Contribute; do not defend
Seek a win-win solution
Actively listen to other people’s views
Find out the reasons for other people’s views
Do not agree for the sake of agreeing
Avoid voting or averaging
Confront your differences politely

9. Which Style Is Best?
Directive
Consultative
Democratic
Consensus

10. The Selection Process
Each leadership team needs to determine which is best for them
What I have found that most leadership determines is best is that it depends on the situation
Decisions must be separated into two categories: major and minor
Major decisions:
Strive for consensus
A back up style needs to identified in case the group cannot reach a decision
Options would include that the leader decides or use the democratic process
Minor decisions: which style is not critical