Grammar Requirements

(Title Page)

Presented to
Perry Barton
MGMT2215 - Team Projects

By
Spencer Hammonds

Date
1/28/2015

Decision making, group decision making, the management of creative people, and the
techniques utilized to maximize the effectiveness of decision making are all very important
concept to understand. In the workplace a manager must constantly make important decisions
that will affect the company and workplace, some in good ways and some in bad. Good decision
making skill involves having a good sense of a situation and knowing what the best decision to
make is based on all the factual information that can be gathered from the situation or event.
Decisions are made based on a variety of different factors. These factors include: the situation,
the options, the leader or managers personality and habits that come with their personality, the
characteristics of the people the manger or leader is working with, and the assets available for
use to resolve the issue. The culture and the organization itself also play a certain role in the
decision making process. Group Decision making is similar to regular decision making but does
possess some unique and different factors that play a larger role in the final decision made.
Group decisions are not simply the decisions of a single leader or manager; it is a decision of a
full team. The difference is the group must come to a unanimous decision that all members of the
group can agree on in order for the decision to be finalized and made. Managing creative people
in the business is also an important task that coincides with decision making. There are many
people or employees within the business or workplace that have a creative side to them. These
people or employees are considerably important because they can bring new opportunities and
innovation to the workplace if utilized in the right manner. Creating and finding new ways to
ultimately maximize decision making is an important task as well. There are many different
techniques that can be used to make sure that the decision that is made it the best and the most
effective in creating positive effects on the workplace or business.
The different styles of decision making each come with their own pros and cons. Some
have more positive effects than others as well as some possessing more drawbacks than others. It
is important that the best and most effective style will be used when making decisions as the
wrong decision making technique can lead to very negative effects on the workplace, the
employees, and the business itself. The types of techniques used depend on the employer, leader,
or manager and the personality traits they possess. Some leaders or managers may be more
reckless and prone to make decisions without thinking which end up falling back on them for not
thinking the problem or situation through, while others may be more reserved and take their time
to think things over and may take longer to make decisions. There are a number of different
decision making styles that managers and leaders can choose from. Collective Reasoning will be
discussed first. The Collective Reasoning is more of a group based decision but is still listed as
singular due to how it performed and executed. In this style the leader or manager gains the
opinions of a multitude of people before making any type of decision or coming to any sort of a
conclusion. This method is most likely used by leaders who are more attached to their followers
or by managers who have a closer relationship with their employees. The next is the Data driven
style. This style is one of the most common and advised for all employers, managers, or leaders
to use. In this method the leader or manager makes decisions based on hard evidence and data,
especially numbers. The only drawback to this method or style is that it is more time consuming
because it requires the manager to take their time and research on the subject, task, situation at
hand before coming up with a final conclusion and making a decision. The next style is the Gut
Reaction style of decision making. This decision making style is arguably the most risky out of
all methods, this is due to the large amount of risk that is taken in order to come to a conclusion
and make a decision. This method is pure gut feeling and is made based on the leader or
managers gut feeling without the thought of risk and what could in turn, go wrong with this

decision. There is an upside to this method in that this method is executed in a very short span of
time. There are many situations that require an immediate decision and cannot wait for the
research or hard evidence and data to surface. This method is built of quick reaction with the full
amount of risk being taken. The next style is the List approach style. This style is also more
common and recommended for many leaders and managers. The list Approach method share
many traits with the Data Driven method in that its a form of gathering Intel about the situation
then after all aspects have be seen, make a sound decision. This method does however possess
some differences from the Data Driven style. List Approach style the manager or leader only
proceeds only after fully listing the pros and cons of each and every option they have available.
In any and all options, decisions have both pros and cons. Some possess more pros than others
and vice versa some possess more cons than others. The key in the List approach is to find the
most balanced decision of them all, one that has more pros than cons and possesses the least
amount of drawback. Another key aspect of this method is that it allows the leader or manager to
better plan for the future and future situations that may come about that will require high level
decisions. The next method is the Spiritually Guided method. This method is arguably the most
unpredictable. The spiritually guided method makes use of prayer and speaking to a higher
power about the decision. This method usually involves the manager or leader going away to a
quiet area to gain solitude in order to clearly think about the decision and pray on it. The next is
the passively undecided method which is when the employer, leader, or manager is completely
satisfied with any decision made as long as they themselves do not have to make the decision;
this is done to avoid conflict or any social situation. This method is easily the most dangerous
because the leader or manager is not making the decision, and if they are they are not taking into
account any data or thought to do so. It is never ok for a manager to be passive with decisions,
especially when they are high level and can possess a direct impact on the workplace and the
employees. In terms of power there are also different styles that a manager can choose form to
proceed with making a decision. These styles are more power based and are based on how they
use their position to assist in making important decisions. The first is the Autocratic style. This
style the group leader or manager solves the problem using the data and information that was
given or that he or she already possesses. This means they do not go out and do research and
gather data in order to make a more sound decision, it also means that he or she does not consult
with anyone else. This style has a slightly reckless feel to it seeing as how the manager or leader
does not take the time out to gather Intel about the situation. The Autocratic style is used when it
is assumed that the leader or manager already possesses a sufficient amount of data and
information and the amount they possess is enough to make a wise enough decision based on the
options the data creates. The next style is the Information seeking style. The information seeking
style is pretty basic in that when the manager or leader knows they do not possess a sufficient
amount of data or information or they know the situation or issue requires more research the
manager or leader will venture out to gather the information from others. This also means that
the manager will gather it from the employees or any other individuals that they work with daily,
it is normal that the manager may ask for their input on how to handle the situation. It is also
normal that the manager or leader may simply ask for their input without alerting them of what
the issue actually is to better evaluate the decision the other individual may come up with. The
next style is the consultation style. In the consultation style the leader actually takes the time out
to better explain the problem or situation with their employees or followers and provide relevant
information to all of them. After the manager has provided enough data to everyone the entire
group or team creates a solution based on everyones ideas and what solution they can come up

with. The information can be gathers by the manager or leader instructing employees to gather
some data or info on their own and then gather them all back a see what solutions they can come
up with based on the data each individual has gathered. After all this the manager or leader can
weigh his or her options and choose the best solution to proceed with based on the data and the
situation itself. The solution can come from any one of the different employees on the team or in
the workplace. This style of decision making is more groups based which will be discussed later
on in the essay. The next style is the Negotiation style. This style of decision making involves the
leader explaining the situation to the team members or the employees similar to the previous
consultation style. The big difference in Negotiation style is instead of sending out the team
members or the employees to gather information the leader simply gives the information and
data out and then together they all come up with the best solution possible based on the data
given that is acceptable to all group members or employees. The Negotiation style is much less
time consuming than the consultation style because it does not require the other employees or
group members to venture out to collect data and information to make the decision. The team is
simply given a certain amount of information and data from the leader or manager than together
they have a conference to negotiate options and come up with the best decision or plan of action
to go with. The entire team of group itself must come to a decision that is unanimous and
everyone in the group can agree with. The last style given is the Delegation style. This style is
more power based in that the responsibility or authority for making the decision is given to
another group or individual from the leader or manager. The individual or group chosen is
provided with all the data and information that was found by or possessed by the leader or
manager. The leader or manager gives up their power to another individual and gives them the
responsibility of making a sound decision based on the data given. From the point the leader is
chosen they themselves can utilize another decision making style to better make a sound
decision. The last three styles are all based on power of control of the leader. Each style is based
on what power the leader gives to the individuals in the group in order to better make an
important decision. The first style of decision making power wise is the Democratic style. The
Democratic style of decision making involves the leader gives up ownership or control of a
decision to the rest of the group or the employees of the workplace. In the event that it is the
employees decision the manager or leader may turn it into a voting poll that the employees of
the workplace can participate in. The decision with the most votes is usually the option the leader
or manager will go with. This style has many advantages and disadvantages. Due to the rapid
speed that it takes to come to a decision the process for their style is relatively fast so the group
and the leader or manager can come to a decision is relatively fast. This style is good for
situations that require an immediate response and does not possess a time frame for drawn out
thought, research, and the gathering of data to make a decision. Another advantage is that even
though the decision is fast paced it is still utilizing the mind ant input of all employee or group
members, meaning that the decision is not made off a whim or a gut feeling it is made based on
how the workplace or group thinks and what input they possess on the situation. The unanimous
decision is fast but still though out and possesses a higher possibility of success than a reckless
answer made in a short span of time. The Democratic style does however come with a few
disadvantages and drawbacks. The first and one of the primary drawbacks that come with the
style is the extremely low to no amount of responsibility put on the leader or manager of the
decision. Due to the leader allowing the employees or group members to vote on the situation the
leader or manager does not have to put in any effort to make a sound decision as he or she simply
allows the employees or group members themselves choose to best option for them. This style

can be seen as lazy due to this drawback and can cause the leader or manager to be viewed a
certain way if the leader or manager constantly falls back on this style to solve very serious high
level decisions when in fact some decisions should be made by only the leader or manager. The
other drawback is that the group or workplace itself will feel no sense of responsibility as well
and in turn if the decision turns out to fall in the negative category no one can be held
responsible for making the wrong decision. The next style is the Autocratic style. The Autocratic
style is when the leader or manager is solely responsible for the decision. As a result the leader or
manager is also to be held fully responsible for the outcome should it come out to be good or
bad. The leader does not request any outside sources for ideas or suggestions and decides
completely based on what he or she knows and that data that they possess. Some of the
advantages that come from this form are the fast paced and little time required to come to a
decision, and it adds a sense of personal responsibility to the leader or manager. The autocratic
style is the best way to go when there is an emergency that requires immediate attention and
immediate response. The autocratic style does however come with its own disadvantages and
drawbacks. One of the biggest disadvantages is the weight of decision and its direct impact or the
morale of the workplace or group. If the decision made by the leader or manager turns out to
have a negative effect, it in turn can also have a negative effect on ht morale of the employees
and the workplace itself. This means that this style of decision making has a high risk rate and
can be very dangerous to turn to should the decision not be in everyones best interests. The next
style that can be utilized is the collective style. This type of the decision making involves the
leader or manager to involve the input of members of the business or organization. This means
that they may ask for advice or the input from other mangers to give them better options on what
to choose in terms of the decision. The people that the leader or manager usually asks advice
from are usually higher ups who have had the same situation before. Thought the leader or
manager himself or herself still possesses total control of the decision and what option will be
chosen they are simply asking for the input of other ideas, perspective, and knowledge before
coming to a conclusion about what option should be chosen. There are some advantages to this
style. This style of decision making allows for group participation and involvement and allows
the group or workplace itself better connect on a more personal level with the leader or manager
as they are all sharing their ideas and views on the matter and it allows the leader or manager to
gain a better feel on their individual personalities and basic views on certain subjects. The big
disadvantage is the style is fairly slow due to the large amount of time required to gain the input
from others. The last style on the list is the consensus style. The consensus style is as stated
before when the leader gives up full control over the decision to the group or workplace. The
workplace and the employees all make the decision. The advantage with this style is the large
amount of teamwork that it helps build, the big disadvantage is the large amount of time spent
allowing all members or employees to come to a decision.
Group Decision making shares many traits with single decision making, but shares even
more differences. The biggest difference is that now the decision itself is weighed on the entire
team or group, and not just the group leader. The entire group or team is at fault in the event the
unanimous decision that is makes hits back in a negative manner. There are many different styles
when it comes to group decision making, each coming with their own individual advantages and
disadvantages. The first is the strategy style. In group decision the strategy style is the most basic
form where the team will plan meetings to determine the future direction of the team or unit. The
meetings are pretty basic. This style is much adjusted to using the SWOT method. This method
stands for the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The SWOT models help better

understand each option and to see the strengths and weaknesses in each option to better choose
what is best. The problems solving style is utilized when a specific problem emerges and
manifests itself in some type of response. There is a meeting held to discuss responses and the
meetings themselves come in tow general forms. The first form involves focusing on the
immediate concerns and how to correct them in a short span of time. The second form is for
longer range or longer period problem solving. This form involves solving long term issues and
reducing the likelihood of the same problem or s similar problem rising again. This form is more
focused on defeating recurring problems so that they do not disturb the flow of the group or
workplace. The next style is the operational Decision style. This decision making style involves
basic decision plans which usually involve the purchasing of an item or a multitude of items the
assist in the resolve of the situation. It is important that groups create group goals so the group
and the group members themselves possess a clear goal and something to work towards. Short
term goals are easy to attain goals that give each group member a since of accomplishment when
met. Long term goals are set so that the group members and the group itself can keep exerting a
constant flow of high effort to achieve the long term goals set. Motivation is always a key factor
in group decision making, if the group in not motivated to work they will not put in the best
effort in thinking of ways to resolve important issues that stand.
Creativeness in a workplace or organization is important. Creativeness can give
birth to new ideas and concepts that can bring innovation and positive change to a business or an
organization. It is very important for leaders and managers to know how to control and manage
the creative people of a business or organization. There are many different ways to better manage
creativeness and creative people in the workplace. A good thing to do is set a bar or a standard.
To bring out the best in employees creating deadlines, projects and other constructive activities
that allow employees to bring out their creative side and force them to think outside the box to
solve problems and meet the standard that has been set. Cater to the strengths of the employees.
Find out what are the strengths and weaknesses of the employees and find ways to help them
grow their strengths and better utilize their creativeness in the workplace. This can be done by
creating healthy competition that pit employees against each other and allows for creative ideas
and abilities to flow. Suggest a process but do not impose it. This allows for the creative
employee to tweak and edit a process and allow it to change into a different method which allows
for a new way of performing an action or process. Create healthy confusion. In order for
employees and teams to think outside of the box difficult situations must arise that require the
employees or teams to get creative and find new ways of doing things. If the process they
perform daily is constantly the same than the employee has no room to grow and gain new
perspectives on situations. Encourage work time and vacation time. In order for creativeness to
be at maximum employees must be able to take breaks and go on vacations. Employees need
time to relax and take the stress off of their mind. Overworking employees hinders their
creativity as well as their overall performance. Another tip is knowing when to speak the truth. In
order for employees to know if they are doing a good job with their new found way they must be
aware if the new creative path they have chosen looks promising. It would be a waste of their
effort if the employee finds a new way to perform a task but the new way has not practical use or
nay positive effects. Bringing out the creative side can be a task but it is important and beneficial
to the future of the business or organization.
Maximizing the effectiveness of a decision is important for all leaders and
managers. The decision that is come to should only be made after all options have been crossed
out and it is seen as the best decision. There are many different ways that leaders or managers

can maximize the effectiveness of decisions and decision making. One way is to make decisions
work. Try creating and simulating what would happen if an option is chosen. If the options in the
simulation all come out to be negative than the best thing to do is to find or create a new option
that will have a positive outcome. Focus on key decisions. Focusing on what decisions are more
important than the other ones. The higher level decisions get the most attention but that does not
mean you should ignore the smaller day to day decisions that keep the workplace stable and
running normally. Maximizing the effectiveness of the decisions made is important task. It
involves creating precautions and backup plans in the event that the decision turns out to have a
negative effect on the business or organization.
Decision making and managing creativity are two very important roles in the
workplace. Both jobs require the leader or manager to have keen senses and a very good since of
risk and knowledge. Decision making is not a simple cut and dry process. Decision making
requires though, research, data, and the input of other team members as well as employees in the
workplace. The different styles of decision making each depend on the personality of the leader
or manager themselves. Each style is as different approach to solving situations. Though many of
them are not recommended it is all about choosing the most efficient option of the decision and
using the style or method that best fits the situation. Managing creativity in the workplace in
important because it needs to be utilized or it will be lost. Leaders and manager should always
take the time out to find the most creative in their group or workplace and find ways to utilize
their talents in the workplace. If the creative employee does not feel their talents are being used
than they will venture off and find other ways to make use of it and the creativeness that person
had in the workplace will be lost. Leaders and managers should remember these two important
tasks in the workplace and in groups or teams.

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