How to Work Effectively as a Group When Making Decisions

Course 6 of the Decision-making and Problem-solving for Business Program

Welcome to the Group Problem Solving and Decision Making Course! This is the sixth course in our Decision-making and Problem-solving for Business series—and it’s an exciting deep dive into harnessing the power of teams to tackle challenges and reach smart, sustainable decisions.

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." —Margaret Mead, anthropologist

As Margaret Mead eloquently reminds us, people—not budgets, equipment, or impressive technologies—are the driving force behind successful problem solving. And the way to make your people your greatest asset is by ensuring they can work together effectively. In this course, we’ll show you exactly how to cultivate dynamic group collaboration, whether you're operating in a small start-up or a global organization.

Why Focus on Group Problem Solving?

• Tap into collective intelligence: Learn how the best ideas often surface when people brainstorm and challenge each other in a supportive environment.

• Foster true engagement: Discover why participative teams consistently outperform those governed by top-down “dictatorship” approaches—and how to empower every voice on your team.

• Build a thriving network: Capital and technology mean little if your organization doesn’t foster a culture of collaboration. We’ll help you establish that essential foundation.

What You’ll Learn

1. Different Types of Teams

   • Information-sharing teams: Understand the pitfalls of purely hierarchical or “dictatorship” models that shut down creativity and limit ownership of decisions.

   • Participative teams: Embrace democratic processes that maximize input from all members and lead to more robust, widely supported solutions.

2. Practical Techniques for Effective Collaboration

   • Discover proven methods to sidestep common group problem-solving traps, such as groupthink and inefficient discussions.

   • Gain insight into structured decision-making frameworks that ensure every perspective is heard—and that the final outcome is truly the best possible solution.

3. Risk-taking and Innovation

   • Learn to safely “go out on a limb” with your team by fostering an environment where new ideas are both encouraged and critiqued constructively.

   • Develop the confidence to champion bold strategies and inspire others to do the same.

4. Real-world Tools and Strategies

   • Explore actionable tips you can implement right away: facilitation techniques, meeting structures, and follow-up processes that keep your group aligned and energized.

   • Practice methods for building consensus and resolving conflicts so that decisions are truly group-owned.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is designed for professionals across all levels—team leaders, project managers, executives, and individual contributors—who want to amplify their collective strengths and deliver winning results. Whether you manage a small, agile team or lead a large, cross-functional group, this course will transform the way you approach group decision making.

Get Ready to Elevate Your Team’s Performance

By the end of this course, you’ll know how to:

• Encourage participation that sparks creativity and innovative thinking

• Run meetings that generate solutions, not just “talk”

• Guide your team towards decisions everyone can stand behind

• Use collaboration as a competitive edge in your organization

Effective group problem solving can radically boost your team’s morale, sense of ownership, and productivity. Ready to build a culture of participative leadership and inspire your team to take smart risks?

Push that “Take this course” button, and we’ll see you on the inside!