Part 1: Sharpening the Team Mind: Communication and Collective Intelligence A. W
ID: 421520 • Letter: P
Question
Part 1: Sharpening the Team Mind: Communication and Collective Intelligence A. What are some of the possible biases and points of error that may arise in team communication systems? In addition to those cited in the opening of Chapter 6, what are some other examples of how team communication problems can lead to disaster? B. Revisit communication failure examples in Exhibit 6-1. Identify the possible causes of communication or decision-making failure in each example, and, drawing on the information presented in the chapter, discuss measures that might have prevented problems from arising within each team’s communication system. Part 2: Team Decision-Making: Pitfalls and Solutions A. What are the key symptoms of groupthink? What problems and shortcomings can arise in the decision-making process as a result of groupthink? B. Do you think that individuals or groups are better decision-makers? Justify your choice. In what situations would individuals be more effective decision-makers than groups, and in what situations would groups be better than individuals?
Explanation / Answer
Possible biases & points of error in team communication systems:
Some of the biases & points of error can include culture & ethnicity, generational differences in language, disruptive behavior, hierarchy, personal values & expectations, gender, differences in requirements, norms of education, differences in schedules & professional routines etc.
Others can include rapid decision making, fears of diluted professional identity, complexity of duties, differences in accountability, payments & rewards. These can be the possible biases & errors that can arise in team communication systems.
Examples of team communication leading to disaster:
Causes of decision making failure in each example:
Measure: before starting the discussion, stress can be made on the importance of listening and how inattention can lead to lack of concentration. We can inform everyone in the group saying that they can express their views at the end of the discussion.
Measure: conduct discussions when the team assembles. Try to schedule direct meetings in case of important discussions rather than relying on emails or memos etc.
Measure: the team manager must interfere and try to handle and solve the issue. Mutual understanding can help in coming o a resolution or a decision.
Measures: extra efforts need to be taken to ensure that all the members in the group have equal knowledge on a subject by providing additional training etc.
Problems in group decision making:
Individual or group decision. Which is better?
When there is individual, decision making becomes easy. When employees need to be taken into consideration, then group decision making is beneficial. Deciding which is better depends on the decision that needs to be made.
When a consensus needs to be reached, then a group decision making is appropriate. However if a decision doesn’t require group’s involvement to complete, then individual decision would be a good choice.
Situations where individual or group decision making is appropriate?
A group decision making is a right choice when working on any timelines or meeting tight schedules in a project. Groups can form and execute decisions quickly thereby helping to meet the schedule or deadline.
In case of small businesses owners or the managers are the sole people involved in decision making and here the role of group either plays a minimum or no role. The consequences of a poor decision making is very rare and if any can be noticed immediately through impact on the business. In case of large scale businesses, on the other hand, group decision making plays an active role.