Generating Alternatives

This sense of fairness is critical for ensuring cooperation…

Throughout the decision-making process, it is essential that your team members feel that the process is fair. Specifically, they must believe that their ideas were acknowledged and considered, even if their suggestions were not ultimately adopted. This sense of fairness is critical for ensuring cooperation and buy-in when it comes time to implement the group’s decision.

Alternatives provide the choices you will need to make an informed decision. When you encourage team participation, facilitate creative conflict, and listen to ideas, you are likely to generate a full slate of options that will serve you well as you enter the next step in the decision-making process: evaluating the alternatives your group has generated.

ACTION POINT: Promote fair process when using a group to generate alternatives in the decision-making process.