Effective Decision Making and Team Cohesion

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Six Thinking Hats technique?

To make decisions without discussions

To enforce a single viewpoint

To eliminate all instinctual responses

To explore a range of perspectives (correct)

Which of the following best describes the structure of the Six Thinking Hats technique?

Six metaphorical hats representing different types of thinking (correct)

Five hats each with a unique color

Two hats representing emotional and logical thinking

A single hat for group consensus

In decision-making, why is it beneficial to switch perspectives using the Six Thinking Hats?

To gather insights without forming snap judgments (correct)

To avoid conflict during discussions

To focus solely on the best solution quickly

To challenge every team's idea rigorously

What does the concept of social loafing refer to in team dynamics?

A phenomenon where individuals exert less effort in a group Signup and view all the answers

Which element is essential for making effective decisions in project teams?

Wearing many metaphorical hats Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of team dynamics does Tuckman's theory emphasize?

The process of team development Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is often encountered when building and managing project teams?

Confronting social loafing among team members Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organizational structures is NOT mentioned in the material?

Flat Signup and view all the answers

What role does the 'critical evaluator' play in a team decision-making process?

To argue against the majority opinion. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT contribute to team cohesion?

Lack of familiarity among members. Signup and view all the answers

What is team cohesion primarily about?

Shared commitment to common objectives. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a suggested method for improving team cohesion?

Get to know each other better. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is essential for effective teamwork, as highlighted in the challenges teams face?

Fostering open communication. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions can undermine a team's confidence?

Consulting outside independent groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of having a cohesive team?

They achieve goals better than less cohesive teams. Signup and view all the answers

What are important elements to define for effective teamwork?

Team goals and member roles. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common impact of social loafing in a team?

Reduced individual effort and contribution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a challenge related to identity in team settings?

Understanding individual roles and purposes within the team Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy can help combat social loafing?

Defining task ownership clearly Signup and view all the answers

What can contribute to an individual’s fear of expressing disagreement in a team?

Fear of affecting relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is a key lesson from project management regarding situation analysis?

Use various models for complex problems Signup and view all the answers

What is an important ongoing skill that project managers need to develop?

Self-discipline for continuous adaptation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can create pressure to conform in a team setting?

A charismatic leader Signup and view all the answers

What signifies the need for clarity in team goals?

Confusion about team roles Signup and view all the answers

Cohesion among team members is primarily about how well they communicate with one another.

False Signup and view all the answers

A smaller group size can enhance team cohesion.

True Signup and view all the answers

Assigning a 'devil’s advocate' in a meeting is intended to strengthen consensus among team members.

False Signup and view all the answers

Good leadership has no impact on meeting psychological needs in team settings.

False Signup and view all the answers

Teams can track their previous successes to help improve cohesion.

True Signup and view all the answers

Conflict management is an important aspect of effective decision-making in teams.

True Signup and view all the answers

Psychological needs within teams are often overlooked in decision-making processes.

True Signup and view all the answers

Encouraging a friendly competition can diminish team cohesion.

False Signup and view all the answers

The Six Thinking Hats technique was developed by Edward de Bono and involves three metaphorical hats.

False Signup and view all the answers

Switching perspectives using the Six Thinking Hats leads to more comprehensive decision making.

True Signup and view all the answers

Tuckman's theory emphasizes that the 'what' of a team's work is more important than the 'how.'

False Signup and view all the answers

Making effective decisions in project teams is considered an unimportant part of project management.

False Signup and view all the answers

The main goal of the Six Thinking Hats technique is to argue for one specific position on a decision.

False Signup and view all the answers

Social loafing refers to the phenomenon where individuals contribute less effort when working in a team compared to when they are alone.

True Signup and view all the answers

The Six Thinking Hats technique uses the color red to symbolize emotional and intuitive thinking.

True Signup and view all the answers

Cohesion in a team has no significant impact on team performance or decision-making.

False Signup and view all the answers

Fear of looking smart is a common issue in team settings.

False Signup and view all the answers

Social loafing occurs when individuals work harder because they believe their efforts will be recognized.

False Signup and view all the answers

Pressure to conform to a charismatic leader is a common challenge teams face.

True Signup and view all the answers

Developing a broad set of skills in project management is a one-time requirement.

False Signup and view all the answers

Assigning tasks clearly is a solution to combat social loafing.

True Signup and view all the answers

The statement 'I am part of a big wheel, so my work doesn't matter' reflects a belief that discourages teamwork.

True Signup and view all the answers

Team challenges do not include issues related to identity or control.

False Signup and view all the answers

Effective decision-making can be aided by using multiple theories and models.

True Signup and view all the answers

The Six Thinking Hats technique was developed by ______.

Edward de Bono Signup and view all the answers

Each metaphorical hat in the Six Thinking Hats technique represents a different type of ______.

thinking Signup and view all the answers

The main purpose of switching hats in the Six Thinking Hats technique is to lead to more comprehensive ______ making.

decision Signup and view all the answers

In project management, building ______ is crucial for effective teamwork.

cohesion Signup and view all the answers

The Six Thinking Hats technique encourages teams to avoid making ______ decisions.

snap Signup and view all the answers

According to Tuckman's theory, the 'how' a team works on a project is as important as the '______'.

what Signup and view all the answers

Social loafing refers to the tendency of individuals to contribute less effort when working in a ______.

team Signup and view all the answers

The six different perspectives in the Six Thinking Hats technique allow for a rich collection of ______.

insights Signup and view all the answers

Assign someone as the 'devil's advocate' with the goal of arguing against the ______.

majority Signup and view all the answers

Cohesion refers to the degree of connectivity and ______ among members of a team.

solidarity Signup and view all the answers

Cohesive groups are better at achieving their goals than ______ groups.

noncohesive Signup and view all the answers

A way to improve cohesion is by getting to know each other and wanting to work ______.

together Signup and view all the answers

Good leadership helps teams meet psychological and ______ needs.

relationship Signup and view all the answers

Teams can track their past ______ to help improve cohesion.

successes Signup and view all the answers

Clear ______ making is essential in teamwork to avoid misunderstandings.

decision Signup and view all the answers

A tendency to go along with the ______ may prevent individuals from expressing their true thoughts.

majority Signup and view all the answers

Fear of affecting relationships by disagreeing in a team setting is known as the fear of _____

conflict Signup and view all the answers

Social loafing occurs when individuals work _____ hard when part of a team.

less Signup and view all the answers

The need for clarity in team _____ is crucial for effective teamwork.

goals Signup and view all the answers

One challenge in teams is the _____ and power dynamics, which can affect self-management.

control Signup and view all the answers

Teams should carefully assign _____ and define task ownership to combat social loafing.

work Signup and view all the answers

A charismatic leader can create pressure to _____ within a team.

conform Signup and view all the answers

Self-discipline is important for project managers to adapt to _____ changing environments.

rapidly Signup and view all the answers

Developing a broad set of skills is essential for a team to continue to _____ over time.

grow Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Effective Decision Making

Six Thinking Hats Technique: Developed by Edward de Bono, this technique focuses on structured group discussion and individual thinking.
Six Hats: Each hat represents a different type of thinking, with a distinct colour to aid in remembering the thinking approach.
Perspective Exploration: Participants wear different hats to explore various perspectives, leading to comprehensive decision-making and problem-solving.
Critical Evaluator: The PM can assign a team member to be a critical evaluator, challenging ideas and opinions.
Devil's Advocate: A team member is assigned to argue against the majority opinion, promoting healthy debate.
PM Influence: The PM can choose to remove themselves from meetings to avoid influencing the outcome.
External Consultation: Engaging independent outside groups for advice is possible, but may undermine team confidence.

Team Cohesion

Definition: Team cohesion is the degree of connectivity and solidarity among team members. It includes shared commitment to common goals, mutual trust, and collaborative work.
Impact of Cohesion: Cohesive teams are more effective in achieving goals, whether positive or negative.
Boosting Cohesion: Strategies include:
- Encouraging team members to get to know each other.
- Maintaining smaller team sizes.
- Highlighting past team successes.
- Promoting a sense of shared values and goals.
- Using friendly competition between teams to foster motivation.

Building Cohesion

Team Building Actions: Teams can build cohesion through:
- Defining clear goals and priorities.
- Clearly defining roles for each team member.
- Establishing task and decision-making procedures.
- Developing interpersonal relationships and norms.

Group to Team

Transition: A group of people needs practice and effort to morph into a functioning team.

Team Needs

Psychological and Relationship Needs: Teams meet these needs through:
- Effective leadership.
- A sense of community.
- Open communication.
- Clear decision-making processes.
- Effective conflict management.

Team Challenges

Conformity: As humans, there's a tendency to agree with the majority without expressing true thoughts.
Underlying Reasons for Conformity:
- Fear of disrupting relationships.
- Fear of appearing foolish or incorrect.
- Pressure to conform to a charismatic leader.
- Stress leading to hasty decisions.
- Desire to be part of the majority.

Definition: The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when part of a team.
Underlying Reasons:
- Perceived reduced responsibility for outcomes and consequences.
- Feeling of being an insignificant part of a larger group.

Work Assignment and Monitoring: Careful work assignment with diligent follow-up.
Task Ownership: Clearly defining task ownership.
Evaluation and Reward: Communicating clear evaluation and reward criteria.
Intrinsic Motivation: Focusing on the task itself as a reward.

PM Lessons

Model Integration: Learn to analyze complex situations using multiple theories and models because no single theory is sufficient.
Skill Development: Consistently develop a wide range of skills and knowledge to support team growth.
Adaptive Skills: Practice and develop self-discipline to adapt to changing environments and work outside of natural preferences.

Next week

Class: Online on Wednesday, October 9th.
Topic: Leadership and Project Management.
Review: Prepare for the mid-term exam.

Reading Week

No classes during the week of October 14th.

Mid-Term Test

Mid-term exam on campus during the week of October 23rd.

Making Effective Decisions

The 6 Hats Technique, developed by Edward de Bono, is a structured method for group discussion and individual thinking.
Each hat represents a different type of thinking:
- White Hat: Facts and data
- Red Hat: Emotions and feelings
- Black Hat: Risks and concerns
- Yellow Hat: Benefits and opportunities
- Green Hat: Creativity and new ideas
- Blue Hat: Process and organization
The technique encourages participants to switch hats to explore different perspectives.

Building Cohesion

Team cohesion is the degree of connectivity and solidarity among team members.
It encompasses shared commitment, mutual trust, and the ability to work cohesively towards common goals.
Factors that can improve team cohesion:
- Getting to know each other
- Smaller group sizes
- Team success track record
- Like-mindedness among members
- Friendly competition

Team Challenges

Social loafing is the tendency to work less hard when part of a team.
Contributing factors:
- Belief that individual effort will go unnoticed
- Fear of affecting relationships by disagreeing
- Pressure to conform to leadership
- Need for rapid decision-making

Carefully assign work and follow up diligently.
Define task ownership clearly.
Communicate how work will be evaluated and rewarded.
Focus on aligning tasks with intrinsic rewards.

Project Management Lessons

Develop a broad set of skills and knowledge to help your team grow.
Adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Continuous practice and development are essential for ongoing success.

Decision Making

6 Hats Technique - structured method for group discussion and individual thinking developed by Edward de Bono.
Six Metaphorical Hats - each represent a different type of thinking:
- White Hat - focuses on facts and data
- Red Hat - expresses emotions and feelings
- Black Hat - represents caution and risks
- Yellow Hat - focuses on benefits and opportunities
- Green Hat - encourages creativity and new ideas
- Blue Hat - controls the thinking process and summarizes discussions
PM Roles - Critical evaluator - assigned role to provide critical feedback
Devil's Advocate - assigned role for arguing against the majority
External Consultations - PM can consult with outside groups, but it might affect team confidence

Team Cohesion

Team Cohesion - degree of connectivity and solidarity among team members.
Characteristics - shared commitment, mutual trust, and ability to work cohesively towards collective goals.
Positive Impact - cohesive groups are better at achieving goals.
Factors that Improve Cohesion - getting to know each other, smaller group sizes, team success, shared values and goals, friendly competition.

Building Teams

Steps to Build Cohesion - establishing goals and priorities, defining roles, determining task procedures, examining team relationships and norms.

Team Challenges

Social Loafing - tendency to work less hard when part of a team, subconscious belief that individual contribution won't be noticed.
Solutions for Social Loafing - carefully assigning work, defining ownership, clear communication about evaluation, focusing on task as intrinsic motivator.

Project Management Lessons

Analyze Complex Situations - use multiple models and theories, no one theory is sufficient
Develop Broad Skills - acquire a diverse range of skills and knowledge to support team growth.
Adapt to Change - develop self-discipline to adapt to rapidly changing environments, continuous practice and development is key.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts in effective decision making techniques, particularly the Six Thinking Hats method. It also delves into the importance of team cohesion and how it can be fostered in group settings. Participants will explore various roles and strategies that can enhance team discussions and decision making.