To make better, more insightful and effective decisions. And to use our time well. Isn’t this what we all want?
Not only am I confident that there are concrete, teachable ways to help this happen. I also believe that wiser, faster decisions happen primarily through collaborative processes.
This might seem counterintuitive. Don’t collaborative processes threaten to slow things down? And how can we be sure that collaborative processes lead to more insightful decisions rather than uninformed or biased ones?
These are the issues I look forward to unpacking in this new blog. There’s lots to say, but let me start with this:
Complexity requires collaboration. No one person has enough information to make well-informed decisions without the perspectives and expertise of others.
But getting a group together does not in itself guarantee wiser or faster decision-making. It can, in fact, lead to the opposite on both counts: decisions that are poorly informed and cumbersome. What makes the difference? Effective collaboration requires:
Purpose – A clear, shared, compelling reason for gathering.
People – Multiple perspectives, offered by folks who care and/or know about the issue at hand.
Process – Skilled facilitation that offers the group a structure that accelerates productive dialogue.
I look forward to exploring the practical applications of each of these elements over the coming months in this space. I’ll draw on the insights and experiences of lots of people – this is a blog about collaboration, after all! I hope you’ll find it inspiring and useful in your contexts as you seek to make wiser decisions faster.
Love your new website. Also, thrilled to follow and participate in the discussion.
Looking forward to this.
Looking forward to follow your thoughts. And your new book sounds more than interesting. Is there a possibility to read a pre-publication? Such an interesting topic!
I would add one more P-word that may seem contradictory to the concern for “faster” decisions: Patience. Patience for those other Personalities named in the above comment, and Patience for the arrival of that wiser decision. I know we all need the decisions made yesterday, but the rushed decision can land you further behind in the long-run.
I don’t think that needs to be contradictory to the “faster” but it will work in some healthy tensions.
Great site and new blog Rebecca – look forward to staying in touch this way.
I agree with you Peter – adding a forth “P” of Patience is valuable – especially for those not used to, or initially comfortable with collaboratively making certain decisions.
Also, understanding each person’s natural problem-solving styles can help as well. We look at and solve problems differently and bringing this awareness as part of the process at the beginning could foster more successful sessions.
Great site Rebecca, congratulations! Indeed structure and process lead to greater collaborative results.
I think the well facilitated collaborative process can be a solution to complex problem-solving as long as personality dynamics are not allowed to run afoul! We’ve all been in meetings where alpha leaders are vying for control, in order to get their predetermined outcome. Another concern is when people jump to judging before an allocated brainstorming segment has finished. I am curious to see how you manage these dynamics in your new book!
I’m so excited to follow this conversation, Rebecca. And your new website looks fantastic. As someone I highly admire and whose expertise I deeply value, thank you for offering this medium for us to continue to learn from and with you.