Making The Perfect Group Decision: Getting Inside The No
August 23, 2009 by theagsmblogger
Filed under B-School Experiences, Business
Working with teams and groups can often be very tough and time consuming simply because sometimes it becomes really hard to make a decision that everyone agrees to. There are always certain people who will have alternate views and and ideas towards solving a problem. In order to to arrive or make a good decision it is important to acknowledge the voices and opinions of such individuals as they bring to light certain areas not considered by the majority.
At any good Business School, the Organizational behavior classes will teach you that it is necessary to foster Cognitive conflict as it brings out the hidden assumptions that often form the base of ineffective decisions and helps avoid Groupthink.
Recently at one of my lectures at AGSM, I learned about another framework which I thought can prove to be very effective in making group decisions. Called “Getting Inside The NO” it involves the following steps:
- Generate all possible points of view or opinions on a particular issue. The leader should always remain neutral.
- Make it safe for all the members in the team to say ‘NO’. For this it is important for the Leader to use his authority power and create an open atmosphere where people can openly voice their opinions.
- Spread the NO, ask other people in the team and who are a part of the decision making process whether they find the arguments of people with the opposing view better. If so they should be allowed to change their stance.
- Once the members of the group are comfortable with their decisions, start questioning the minority. Make sure to to have a constructive argument with them and include their wisdom in the decision making process.
- During the above process it is quite likely that some people will again change their positions or opinions as a lot of hidden assumptions will come to light. Once the two groups are convinced about their views, ask the minority group the question “What would it take you to come along with us ?“. This step might involve making a few concessions to the decision of the majority but it would help in achieving a consensus.
In this manner it would be possible to arrive at a decision that everyone is comfortable with and is a result of taking into consideration everyone’s opinions. Although it might not be feasible to use this approach at all times it should be used whenever possible.
If you would like to see an example of this approach then I would recommend watching the 1957 film, 12 Angry Men, a movie that is quite well-known in B-schools.
Love Aaj Kal – Jab We Loved And Lost And Loved Again.
Year: 2009
Director: Imitiaz Ali
Producer: Saif Ali Khan, Dinesh Vijan
Length: 138 minutes
Category: Romance
Media: Film
Love Aaj Kal portrays how couples treat love and relationships as of today, and how relationships happened in the yesteryears. While the styles and the frenetic pace of today’s lifestyle has changed, the underlying emotions remain the same.
Love Aaj Kal tries to enunciate these very differences, in periods and in thought process while at the same time underlining the commonalities through two parallel plots, one in the current setting and the other in “good ol days” (Delhi in the 1960′s or 1970′s).
Saif Ali Khan does a double role, playing a young and hep Jai (Jai Vardhan Singh) and Veer. Deepika Padukone plays Saif’s love interest (Meera Pandit). Both Saif and Deepika are outstanding, although Saif could have done better at the role of the Sardar. Not much is known about Harleen (A punjabi girl who is Veer’s love interest)
The film has a soft and light feel, it moves at a melancholic pace and very soon you start building an association with the characters of film. There is a generation gap bridging element of the movie, which is the hallmark of the film. As has been portrayed in a few other films (like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na) which showcase emotions of people finding love only after they have broken up, the realization of what you have lost comes only after you have lost it.
Transition is one term which the movie thrives on, from period oriented transitions, to locale specific transitions to mindsets. I in particular liked how the transitions in the emotions, the energy and the thought process of Jai are showcased towards the end of the film. From being a person full of energy and life, feasting on sandwiches and living an independent life, realizations dawn on what he has so far been ignoring. The need for something life-long, without feeling that you have committed a mistake or committed too soon are reflective of couples in today’s times.
The songs have already become a huge hit and Pritam’s music in Twist, Aahun Aahun and Chor Bazari are infectious.
The film leaves us with an important learning “Don’t marry someone with whom you can live, Marry someone without whom you cannot live“. Think about it!!
