Making Decisions in Meetings
One of the key reasons people call a meeting is to make a decision on a current situation. Way too often, though, the only approach considered is, “We’ll talk about it and then decide.” There are many ways to handle the process of making decisions in meetings. Here is one that is attributed to the Japanese, who tend to be very collaborative and consensus-savvy.
Japanese-style Decision Making
This is a three-step method used in many Japanese companies:
1. Define the question: Decide what the decision is about.
2. Consult with all affected individuals: Elicit suggestions and dissenting
opinions.
3. Focus on alternatives: Rather than the single “right decision.”
Then choose among the alternatives.
Consider this approach in your next meeting where making a decision is the key
agenda item.
(Note: source Peter Drucker in Management Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices originally published 1974)