Decision-making in teams

Welcome, everyone. We’ll explore the crucial topic of decision-making within business teams. In today’s interconnected organisations, decisions are less often made by individuals and more commonly by groups. Teams draw on diverse skills and knowledge, aiming to improve decision quality and strengthen implementation through shared ownership. However, group decisions bring unique challenges. We’ll examine the factors that contribute to high-quality decision-making in teams, discuss common pitfalls, and consider what managers can do to facilitate effective group processes. Throughout this lecture, we’ll see how team decision-making impacts everything from daily operations to long-term strategy. Teams in business often have advantages over individuals in decision-making, combining broader expertise and experience for more creative, robust solutions. Groups can also foster buy-in and greater commitment to outcomes. However, these benefits are not guaranteed. Teams may struggle with groupthink, where the desire for consensus suppresses dissent and critical analysis, and with unequal information sharing, as members may focus on common facts and overlook unique insights. If not carefully managed, these dynamics can lead to flawed results. Recognising both the strengths and limitations of team decisions is crucial for leaders and team members to navigate group processes effectively and achieve better outcomes. Achieving quality decisions in teams requires attention to process.