3 facilitation techniques for effective group decision making
Helping teams make decisions can be a complex process when there are various group dynamics, cultural quirks, and political intricacies at play. But it doesn't have to be.
Whether you’re a workshop facilitator, or a leader who frequently drives teams through collaborative sessions, it’s important to have a few instruments in your toolbox to help guide more sound decision making (and avoid the swirl of indecision).
Let’s explore a few essential facilitation techniques that empower groups to harness their collective wisdom, navigate challenges, and arrive at well-informed decisions.
3 facilitation techniques for effective group decision making:
To reach a consensus: Bring a list of pre-curated options for the group to consider as they hone in on what feels right. Often, these are problem statements I want the group to choose between. Hand out the list, or post it somewhere visible, then have each person write the statement they want to choose on a sticky note. Next, ask each person to share and post their selection. The winning problem statement may be clear, or there might be an obvious divide. If there’s a tie, discuss and/or host a follow-up vote on the top contenders, which can be done with the following technique.
To minimize politics: When the group has various options to choose from, number each and facilitate anonymous voting. Usually, at this point in a session, there are a bunch of ideas posted up on the walls for everyone to see. Rather than ask everyone to simultaneously go up and vote with sticky dots, give each concept a number and have participants write the number(s) of the option(s) they are voting for on post-it notes or .75” dots. This keeps the process unbiased, avoiding a situation where one person with power or influence may sway the group. It also protects against the strategic vote, a behavior I often witness where people hold back their answer, then cast their vote after others have been placed in an attempt to sway things a certain way.
To capture rationale: Have participants write out WHY they want to go a certain way when they make a selection or cast a vote. This step asks them to think about the reasons behind their decision, and to articulate them on paper. This can help illuminate whether the reasons are sound, or possibly just based on personal preference, or legacy ways of doing things. Ask participants to post these notes near their selection, then facilitate a quick dialog about the reasons why each option is worth considering.
When you use these simple methods, it will help you create an environment conducive to open communication, active participation, and respectful collaboration. And really, that’s what unlocks the group’s full potential to make inclusive and impactful decisions.