If everyone in the group automatically goes along with proposals, if alternatives are not offered, or if different perspectives are quickly dismissed, ciitical information probably is not coming to light. This situation may occur when the manager is a participant, when the group includes an overbearing expert who intimidates members, or when managers or supervisors discourage discussion about their areas of expertise or authority.
Some of Joiner's suggestions:
- Practice brainstorming regularly before discussing a course of action.
- Suggest that the group ask one of its members to be a devil's advocate, to raise objections to proposed solutions:
- Develop a list of criteria for judging proposals, and help the group systematically apply them to all options.
- Once an option is selected, discuss everything that could go wrong with that choice, and discuss ways to avoid risks. The Team Memory Jogger offers practical tips for avoiding work-group problems such as conflicts, lack of focus, lack of follow-through, and uneven participation.
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