Newsletter For Anita Goldin The Coaching Compass
                                                                                                                                                     September 2011  
Welcome to The Coaching Compass Newsletter!
This month our focus is on decision making.  Our Training Activity is word game that will challenge teams to come up with the best group decision based on the groups overall knowledge, experience & perspective.  The Coaching Corner article focuses more on how as a leader we chose a decision style based on the situation, the need for involvement and the time sensitivity. I hope you find both articles useful and timely.

 

All the Best!  Anita      
Training Activity
  

What do you call that "Thing A Ma Jig?" 

 

 Purpose: For team members to share individual knowledge and make team decisions by determining the proper terms for miscellaneous obscure objects. This exercise can serve as a catalyst for discussion around communication, decision making, group interaction, leadership & teamwork

  

 

Logistics:

Group Size:Unlimited. Participants will work in teams of up to five members each.

Time Required:Approximately twenty minutes 

Preparation: Assemble the following materials: A pencil, a "Thing A Ma Jig Worksheet" for each participant and an additional Thing A Ma Jig Worksheet for each team. Click here for the worksheet : Thing A Ma Jig .  The correct answers you will share at the end of the exercise are: 1c,2a,3c,4b,5b,6a,7c,8a,9b,10c.

  

Delivery / Process

1. Explain that there are some functional objects existing around us which we may not know by their proper terms. This activity will strive to "pool" the group's knowledge to determine the technical terms for certain objects.  

2. Distribute a pencil and one copy of the Thing A Ma Jig Worksheet to each participant. Direct group members to complete the worksheet alone, matching the term they think is correct for each of the ten definitions. Allow approximately five minutes for completion of individual work. 

3. When participants have completed the worksheets, instruct them to form teams of up to five members each. Assign one member of each group to act as the team leader.

4. Distribute one copy of the "Thing A Ma Jig Worksheet" to each team leader. Explain that group members should work together to come to a team decision on the correct answer for each item. The team leader is responsible for coordinating group discussion and recording the team's answers.

5. Allow approximately ten minutes for the group members to work together.

6. Solicit team feedback (answers) and share correct answers with the group.  

 

Debrief Questions

· Did group members do better with their individual answers or as a team? Why? 

· What role did the leader take in the decision-making process?

· How does the use of technical terminology and/or acronyms affect the communication process?

· What other kinds of "filters" break down communication? (perception, experience,    environment, etc.)

· How can we improve the overall communication process in the workplace? 

 

*Adaptation of exercise from The Glenn Research Center/NASA called Gizmos

The Coaching Corner 

 

To Do or Not to Do ....Decision Making for Leaders     

To do or not to do... that is the question. As leaders, we are we are constantly making decisions. Some are small and some are big. Some we make on our own, while others we seek input. The 1st step to decision making is deciding how the decision will be made; who will be involved, what is the necessary time frame and who will make the decision. Once you have clarity on those factors, you can proceed with your process. There are 4 main decision making styles to choose from. The trick is selecting the style that will meet the needs of the situation most effectively. 

 

Autocratic:

Decision Maker: The Leader has total control & makes the decision. 

Advantage: Quick method when time is of the essence.

Disadvantage: No participation or input from team, so possible little to no "buy in". 

 

Participative:

Decision Maker: The Leader. The Leader involves members of the team and seeks input, but make the final decision.

Advantage: group participation & involvement

Disadvantage: Slow and time consuming

 

Democratic:

Decision Maker: The Group decides through a voting process. The majority vote will decide the action.

Advantage: group participation & involvement

Disadvantage: Lack of ownership /responsibility for a bad decision.

 

Consensus:

Decision Maker: Everyone in the group must agree to the decision. This is not a democratic style because everyone must agree and "buy in" on the decision. If total commitment and agreement by everyone is not obtained the decision becomes democratic.

Advantage: Group commitment and responsibility

Disadvantage: Slow and time consuming.

  

So the next time you make a decision at work; whether it's how to spend your resources, who to hire, instituting a new procedure or even resolving a customer complaint, consider the situation carefully. Who should make the decision? Who should be involved? How important is team "buy in"? How quickly does the decision need to be made? This will be your guide.

 

As a coach, I help leaders take action towards making more effective decisions. Increasing self-awareness is a great tool to help move your decision making skills forward. Take a moment and ask yourself the following questions:

 

  1. What was the last important decision you made at work? 
  2. What style of decision making did you use? 
  3. How easily was the decision accepted?
  4. What style (if any) might have been more effective? 
  5. Have you made a decision recently that didn't go well? What was it and how would you "re-do" it if you could?
Happy Decision Making!

Are your Managers Lost? 

Maybe it's time to share with them ... The Leadership Compass!

Six Great Leadership Development Workshops! 

 

  1. Leadership Style & Conflict Resolution
  2. Enhancing Communication Effectiveness
  3. Building your Team
  4. Performance Management
  5. Time Management & Goal Setting
  6. Coaching with Confidence

Choose one or all six of these 1/2 day training sessions to get your management staff on the right track. For more information on session content and details on logistics, contact email : anita@thecoachingcompass.com  or call 949-387-3436.

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