Reference no: EM132176116

Reasoning is fundamental in all of our decision making processes. I have found that working in teams adds invaluable strength to the decision-making process. A decision-making model describes the method a team will use to make decisions. The most important factor in successful decision-making is that every team member is clear about how a particular decision will be made. According to Stein (n.d.), knowing how a particular decision will be made can also help a team plan their meeting agendas more effectively and lead to more collaborative team process. Most importantly, understanding how decisions will be made helps to build support for the final decision and active commitment to that decision's implementation. Because effective teams work towards the fullest participation of each member, teams often use some version of a consensus decision-making model. Stein (n.d.), when used appropriately, this model of decision-making can maximize the quality of a team's decisions.

As you know there are a number of possible models for decision-making; each of these models may be appropriate for particular types of decisions. There are multiple diverse situations that need to be addressed specifically. Stein (n.d.), now that we know that consensus decision-making is not necessarily unanimous support for a particular decision, it is important to define just what consensus decision-making is. Consensus is achieved when everyone on the team has had ample opportunity to have his or her ideas considered and can fully support the team's decision. Stein (n.d.), asserts that consensus decisions mean that the entire team has come to agreement on a course of action, even if individuals might have a different preference. Consensus decisions often lead to completely new solutions that the team arrives at in the course of its discussion. Do you think that knowing who will be making the decisions and how will team members be involved will allow team members to be fully informed participants in discussions?