Problem Solving Problem Solving ProcessProcess

1. Identify and define the problem Problem definition- Formal written statement

defining the problem Effective problem definition is stated as a

question of fact, value, or policy; one central idea; uses specific, precise, and concrete language

Q of fact- Asked to determine what is true or to what extent something is true

Q of value- Determine whether something is right, moral, good, or just Often contains: good, reliable, effective, or worthy

Q of policy- Determine what course of action should be taken

Problem Solving Problem Solving ProcessProcess

2. Analyze the problem 3. Determine criteria for judging solutions

Criteria- Standards or measures used for judging the merits of purposed solutions

4. Identify alternative solutions Brainstorming- Uncritical, non-evaluative

process of generating possible solutions by being creative, suspending judgment, and combining or adapting ideas

Problem Solving Problem Solving ProcessProcess

5. Evaluate solutions and decide 5 methods: Page 229

6. Implement the agreed-upon solution

Shared LeadershipShared Leadership

“Leadership is most often a shared activity in which different members perform various functions based on their unique strengths and expertise” (Fairhurst, 2001).

Informal leaders (aka emergent leaders)- Leaders who gain power because they are liked and respected by the group

Shared leadership functions- Set of roles that group members perform to facilitate the work of the group and help maintain harmonious relationships between members.

Role- Specific pattern of behavior that group members perform based upon their skills and their perceptions of the group’s needs at the time

Shared LeadershipShared Leadership

Types of roles Task roles- Help the group acquire, process, or

apply information that contributes directly to completing a task or goal

Maintenance roles- Sets of behaviors that help a group develop and maintain cohesion, commitment, and positive working relationships

Procedural roles- Sets of behaviors that directly support a group process

Making Meetings Making Meetings EffectiveEffective

Guidelines for meeting LEADERS Before the meeting

1. Prepare and distribute agenda- organized outline of the information and decision items that will be covered during the meeting

2. Decide who should attend 3. Manage meeting logistics

Room, seating, etc. 4. Speak with each participant before the

meeting

Making Meetings Making Meetings EffectiveEffective

Guidelines for meeting LEADERS During the meeting

1. Review and modify the agenda 2. Monitor member interaction 3. Monitor time 4. Praise in public, reprimand in private 5. Check periodically to see if the group is ready

to make a decision 6. Implement group’s decision rules 7. Summarize decisions 8. Set the next meeting

Making Meetings Making Meetings EffectiveEffective

Guidelines for meeting LEADERS Following up

1. Review outcome 2. Prepare and distribute meeting summary 3. Repair damaged relationships 4. Conduct informal progress reports

Making Meetings Making Meetings EffectiveEffective

Guidelines for meeting PARTICIPANTS Before the meeting

1. Study agenda 2. Study minutes 3. Do your homework 4. List questions 5. Plan to play a leadership role

Making Meetings Making Meetings EffectiveEffective

Guidelines for meeting PARTICIPANTS During the meeting

1. Listen attentively 2. Stay focused 3. Ask questions 4. Take notes 5. Play devil’s advocate 6. Monitor your contributions

Making Meetings Making Meetings EffectiveEffective

Guidelines for meeting PARTICIPANTS Following Up

1. Review and summarize your notes 2. Evaluate your effectiveness 3. Review decisions 4. Communicate progress 5. Complete your tasks 6. Review minutes

Communicating Group Communicating Group SolutionsSolutions

Deliverables- Tangible or intangible products of work that must be provided to someone else

Written formats Written brief- Short document that describes a

problem, background, process, decision, and rationale so that a reader can quickly understand and evaluate a group’s product

Comprehensive report- Written document that provides a detailed review of the problem solving process used to arrive at a recommendation

Executive summary- One-page synopsis of a comprehensive report

Communicating Group Communicating Group SolutionsSolutions

Oral formats Oral brief- Summary of a written brief delivered

to an audience by a group member Oral report- Similar to a comprehensive report Symposium- Set of prepared oral reports

delivered sequentially by group members before a gathering of people who are interested in the work of the group

Panel discussion- Structured problem solving discussion held by a group in front of an audience

Communicating Group Communicating Group SolutionsSolutions

Virtual formats Remote access reports (RAR)- Computer-

mediated audiovisual presentation of a group’s process and outcome that others can receive electronically

Streaming videos- Pre-recording that is sent in compressed form over the Internet

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