2016
11 MayDemocratic Decision Making
“I am conducting an experiment,” Marianne explained.
“Why do you call it an experiment?” I asked.
“Because I’m not sure if it will work. I have never tried it before. So, if it fails, then it was just an experiment. I am going to try democratic decision making with my team.”
“How will that work?” I wanted to know.
“Well, we have a situation with a couple of different solutions. Some people think we should go one way, others think the other way. I thought it best just to take a vote. At least that will get buy-in and support.”
“What if it’s the wrong decision and it jeopardizes the whole project?”
Marianne was silent.
“Which way do you think the decision should be made?” I prompted. “And what if the team decides the other way? And how will you explain a poor decision to your manager? Will you say that you disagreed, but your team outvoted you?”
