PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING 9.

Stress Reduction: Resolving problems reduces stress and

anxiety, both in teamwork and personal life, as it provides a
Problem solving is the process of identifying, analyzing, and sense of control and accomplishment.
resolving challenges or obstacles to reach a desired goal or
outcome. It involves a systematic approach of evaluating the 10. Teamwork: As mentioned earlier, in a team setting,
current situation, generating potential solutions, and problem solving promotes collaboration, strengthens bonds
selecting the most appropriate solution to address the issue among team members, and ensures that diverse
at hand. Problem solving often requires critical thinking, perspectives are considered when addressing challenges.
creativity, decision-making, and the application of various
problem-solving techniques to find effective solutions. It is a In essence, problem solving is a fundamental skill that
fundamental skill in many aspects of life, from personal daily empowers individuals and teams to adapt, overcome
challenges to complex issues in business, science, and obstacles, and achieve success in a wide range of endeavors.
various fields.
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING:
Problem solving is of paramount importance both in Teamwork problem solving can be crucial in various
teamwork and in general for several reasons: situations. Here are some general steps to address issues
within a team:
1. Innovation and Progress: Problem solving drives 1. Identify the Problem: Clearly define the problem and
innovation and progress. When individuals or teams tackle ensure that all team members understand it.
challenges, they often find creative and novel solutions that 2. Open Communication: Encourage open and honest
can lead to improvements and advancements. communication among team members. Everyone should
feel comfortable sharing their perspectives.
2. Conflict Resolution: In teamwork, problems and conflicts 3. Brainstorm Solutions: Generate a list of potential solutions
are inevitable. Effective problem solving helps resolve to the problem. Consider both short-term and long-term
conflicts, maintain harmony, and prevent issues from options.
escalating. Some basic steps to brainstorming include:
● Establish and explain the purpose of the session.
3. Achieving Goals: Problem solving is essential for achieving ● Establish a time frame.
goals. It helps identify obstacles and develop strategies to ● Decide whether to use a structured or unstructured
overcome them, ensuring that objectives are met. approach.
● Decide on a format (lists, diagrams, etc.).
4. Decision Making: In everyday life and business, decision- ● List ideas in the chosen format.
making is a fundamental aspect of problem solving. ● Discuss, clarify, and combine ideas.
Decisions based on a structured problem-solving approach 4. Evaluate Solutions: Assess the pros and cons of each
are more likely to be sound and informed. solution. This may involve discussing the feasibility,
resources required, and potential outcomes.
5. Critical Thinking: Problem solving fosters critical thinking 5. Choose a Solution: After evaluating the options, the team
skills, enabling individuals to analyze situations, gather should agree on the best solution to pursue.
information, and make reasoned judgments. 6. Assign Responsibilities: Specify who is responsible for
implementing the chosen solution and any necessary tasks.
6. Adaptability: In a rapidly changing world, adaptability is 7. Implement the Solution: Put the plan into action, and
key. Effective problem solvers are better equipped to adapt ensure that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.
to new challenges and unexpected situations. 8. Monitor Progress: Regularly check in on the progress of
the solution and make adjustments if necessary.
7. Learning and Growth: Engaging in problem solving 9. Reflect and Learn: After the problem is resolved, discuss
provides valuable learning experiences. It allows individuals what worked well and what could be improved for future
and teams to learn from mistakes and successes, fostering teamwork.
personal and professional growth. Remember that effective communication and collaboration
are key to successful teamwork problem solving.
8. Resource Management: Efficient problem solving helps
optimize the use of resources, whether it's time, money, or DECISION MAKING
manpower, leading to more efficient and cost-effective ● Making decisions involves deciding what to do,
solutions. getting information, and weighing your options.
This process is known as decision making.
 ● By arranging pertinent data and outlining options, a ○ As informations are collected, possible
methodical approach to decision-making can assist paths of action or alternative is also
you in reaching more careful, thinking conclusions. identified,
Using this method makes it more likely that you will 4. Weigh the evidence
select the option that will bring you the greatest ○ Evaluate whether the need identified in
satisfaction. Step 1 would be met or resolved through
● Just as people are different, so are their styles of the use of each alternative.
decision making. Each person is a result of all of the 5. Choose among alternatives
decisions made in their life to date. Recognizing ○ Once you have weighed all the evidence,
this, here are some tips to enhance your decision you are ready to select the alternative that
making batting average. seems to be best one for you.
6. Take action
○ Ready to take some positive action by
Types of Decision Makers
beginning to implement the alternative
There are two main types of decision makers. Some people chosen in number 5.
use a systematic, rational approach. Others are more 7. Review decision and its consequences
intuitive. They go with their emotions or a gut feeling about ○ In this final step, consider the results of
the right approach. They may have highly creative ways to your decision and evaluate whether or not
address the problem, but cannot explain why they have it has resolved the need you identified in
chosen this approach. Step 1. If the decision has not met the
identified need, you may want to repeat
Tips in Decision Making certain steps of the process to make a new
1. Do not make decisions that are not yours to make. decision. For example, you might want to
2. When making a decision, we are simply choosing gather more detailed or somewhat
from among alternatives. A choice cannot be made different information or explore additional
between right and wrong. alternatives.
3. Avoid snap decisions. Move fast on the reversible
ones and slowly on the non-reversible.
4. Choosing the right alternative at the wrong time is
not any better than choosing the wrong alternative
at the righ time. It is better to make decisions while
there is still time.
5. Always write down the pros and cons of a line of
action. It clarifies the way we think and make a
better decision.
6. Let go of percfection, get the facts, avoid
procrastination, and use yout intuition.

Using a step-by-step decision-making process can help make

more deliberate, thoughtful decisions by organizing relevant
information and defining alternatives. This approach
increases the chances that you will choose the most
satisfying alternative possible.
1. Identify the decision
○ Try to clearly define the nature of the
decision you must make. This first step is
very important.
2. Gather relevant information The model depicted in Figure 6-1 demonstrates the
○ Collect some pertinent information before relationship among related concepts such as professional
you make your decision: what information judgment, decision making, problem solving, creativity, and
is needed, the best sources of information, critical thinking. Sound clinical judgment requires critical or
and how to get it. This step involves both reflective thinking. Critical thinking is the concept that
internal and external “work.” interweaves and links the others. An individual, through the
3. Identify alternatives application of critical-thinking skills, engages in problem
solving and decision making in an environment that can - The primary group is usually made up of
promote or inhibit these skills. significant others, those individuals who
have the most impact on our socialization.
Effective problem solving and decision making are - The best example of a primary group is the
predicated on an individual’s ability to think critically. family.
Although critical thinking has been defined in numerous
ways, Scriven and Paul (2007) refer to it as “the intellectually SECONDARY GROUP
disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, - are often larger and impersonal. They may
applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating also be task-focused and time-limited.
information gathered from, or generated by, observation, - These groups serve an instrumental
experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a function rather than an expressive one,
guide to belief and action.” Effective critical thinkers are self- meaning that their role is more goal- or
aware individuals who strive to improve their reasoning task-oriented than emotional.
abilities by asking “why,” “what,” or “how.” It is important - A classroom or office can be an example of
for leaders and managers to assess staff members’ ability to a secondary group.
think critically and enhance their knowledge and skills
through staff-development programs, coaching, and role Tuckman's stages, also known as Tuckman's group
modeling. Establishing a positive and motivating work development model, are a framework that describes the
environment can enhance attitudes and dispositions to think typical stages of development that teams go through as they
critically. form, grow, and mature. The model was introduced by
psychologist Bruce Tuckman in 1965 and later expanded
Creativity is essential for the generation of options or with the addition of a fifth stage. The five stages of
solutions. Creative individuals can conceptualize new and Tuckman's model are as follows:
innovative approaches to a problem or issue by being more
flexible and independent in their thinking. It takes just one 1. Forming: In the forming stage, team members come
person to plant a seed for new ideas to generate. together and get to know each other. They are often polite
and cautious, as they are trying to understand their roles and
establish ground rules. There may be some uncertainty and
GROUP FORMING anxiety during this stage.
● At this stage the group learns about the
What is a Group? opportunities and challenges.
- refers to the number of people or things Example: A group of coworkers from different departments
that are located close together or classed is assigned to a project team. During the forming stage, they
together. are getting to know each other, and there's a sense of polite
- A collection of individuals who came and cautious behavior. People are trying to understand the
together and interact with each other to team's goals and what's expected of them.
achieve the objectives of the organization.
- The foundation of an organization. 2. Storming: The storming stage is characterized by conflicts
- According to Bruce Tuckman the group and disagreements within the team as members start to
goes through 5 stages - Forming, Storming, assert themselves, their opinions, and their ideas. This stage
Norming, Performing, and Adjourning or can be challenging as team members jockey for position and
Mourning. express their differences.
- The stages start from the time the group ● The group starts to sort itself out and gain each
first meets until the project ends. other's trust.
Example: As the project progresses, differences in work
Types of Group styles and opinions start to emerge. Some team members
● PRIMARY GROUP may feel that the project should be managed in one way,
- is usually fairly small and is made up of while others have different ideas. This can lead to
individuals who generally engage face-to- disagreements, conflicts, and power struggles as the team
face in long-term emotional ways. This figures out how to work together effectively.
group serves emotional needs: expressive
functions rather than pragmatic ones.
3. Norming: During the norming stage, the team starts to
develop a sense of cohesion and unity. They begin to
establish norms, values, and a shared understanding of how
they will work together. Conflict diminishes, and members
work more collaboratively. ● CHARACTERISTICS (TRISHA,LALA,JEZZA, JULIA)
● All team members take the responsibility and want
to work for the success.
Example: The team members have recognized their
differences and have worked through many of their Characteristics of Effective Teams
conflicts. They begin to establish norms, values, and ways of
working that allow for more cooperation and collaboration. 1. There is a clear unity of purpose.
They may create a team charter, set ground rules, and find There was free discussion of the objectives until members
their groove in terms of roles and responsibilities. could commit themselves to them; the objectives are
meaningful to each group member.

4. Performing: The performing stage is marked by a high 2. The group is self-conscious about its own operations.
level of productivity and effectiveness. Team members have The group has taken time to explicitly discuss group process
resolved their differences, and they work together smoothly -- how the group will function to achieve its objectives. The
and efficiently to achieve the team's goals. This is the stage group has a clear, explicit, and mutually agreed-upon
where the team is most productive. approach: mechanics, norms, expectations, rules, etc.
● The team members are now competent. Frequently, it will stop to examined how well it is doing or
Example: With the team dynamics settled, the group can what may be interfering with its operation. Whatever the
now focus on achieving its goals and objectives. There is a problem may be, it gets open discussion and a solution
high level of cooperation, and each member understands found.
their role in contributing to the team's success. They are
working efficiently and effectively, and the project is making 3. The group has set clear and demanding performance goals
progress. for itself and has translated these performance goals into
well-defined concrete milestones against which it measures
5. Adjourning (or Mourning): In some variations of itself. The group defines and achieves a continuous series of
Tuckman's model, there is an additional stage called "small wins" along the way to larger goals.
"adjourning." This stage occurs when the team's task is
completed, and the team members prepare to disband. It 4. The atmosphere tends to be informal, comfortable,
can involve a sense of loss and the need to acknowledge the relaxed.
team's achievements. There are no obvious tensions, a working atmosphere in
which people are involved and interested.
Example: This stage is not always reached, but it's relevant
for temporary groups that have a specific purpose, like 5. There is a lot of discussion in which virtually everyone
project teams. Once the project is completed, the team is participates,
disbanded, and members move on to other tasks or projects. but it remains pertinent to the purpose of the group. If
This stage involves acknowledging the team's achievements, discussion gets off track, someone will bring it back in short
celebrating successes, and possibly dealing with the order. The members listen to each other. Every idea is given
emotional aspect of parting ways. a hearing. People are not afraid of being foolish by putting
forth a creative thought even if it seems extreme.
Tuckman's model is a helpful tool for understanding the
dynamics of group development, and it is widely used in the 6. People are free in expressing their feelings as well as their
field of team management and organizational psychology. It ideas.
provides insights into how teams evolve and change over
time and highlights the challenges and opportunities that 7. There is disagreement and this is viewed as good.
arise during each stage. Understanding these stages can help Disagreements are not suppressed or overridden by
team leaders and members navigate the group development premature group action. The reasons are carefully
process more effectively. examined, and the group seeks to resolve them rather than
dominate the dissenter. Dissenters are not trying to
dominate the group; they have a genuine difference of
opinion. If there are basic disagreements that cannot be
resolved, the group figures out a way to live with them
without letting them block its efforts.
8. Most decisions are made at a point where there is general Each member of the team understands
agreement.
responsibility for his actions. Team membe
However, those who disagree with the general agreement of
the group do not keep their opposition private and let an that they can complete tasks, and they alert
apparent consensus mask their disagreement. The group Accountability Members of effective teams not only know t
does not accept a simple majority as a proper basis for
and Commitment to achieving it and demonstrate the behav
action.
members have the authority to do what the
9. Each individual carries his or her own weight, every step along the way. Finally, members m
meeting or exceeding the expectations of other group
both an individual and team basis.
members. Each individual is respectful of the mechanics of
the group: arriving on time, coming to meetings prepared,
completing agreed upon tasks on time, etc. When action is
taken, clears assignments are made (who-what-when) and Effective team members are willing to assum
willingly accepted and completed by each group member. Shared
Shared leadership reinforces a sense of share
Leadership
10. Criticism is frequent, frank and relatively comfortable. and team performance.
The criticism has a constructive flavor -- oriented toward
removing an obstacle that faces the group.

11. The leadership of the group shifts from time to time. Interpersonal relationships in effective team
Positive Group
The issue is not who controls, but how to get the job done. and acceptance. Conflict will still occur, but a
Dynamics
conflict productively.
Sources: The Human Side of Enterprise, by Douglas
MacGregor The Wisdom of Teams, by Kaztenbach and Smith

The purpose of the team must be clearly defined in concrete and measurable
objectives. Effective teams know how their work contributes toward an
Clarity of Purpose
organizational goal. The team leader reminds members of how each team member
makes business success possible.

Open and accurate communication both between the team members and between
Good the team and the larger organization is critical to keep members informed,
Communication motivated and focused. Part of the communication process involves establishing
roles, making plans, and following standard business protocols and procedures.

We will look at the role of positive and negative conflict in more detail later in this
Positive Role for
module, but generally effective teams use conflict to improve decision-making and
Conflict
problem solving processes.