In principle, activities that contribute to good group decisions are not always best done by the group as a whole. Often times information, ideas, and potential solutions are all put on the table in such a tangled web that the group as a whole can’t make sense of them. Other times, emotions run high in the heat of debate and cloud our ability to see clearly. Further, in the midst of lively discussion it’s often hard to discern our own thoughts and feelings.
When things are confusing and the group is in disarray, we are likely to be hugely inefficient. We repeat ourselves, spin our wheels, and make clumsy progress in wrong directions.
Practical Tip: Take a break. When a group breaks for ten minutes or overnight or puts an issue to rest until the next meeting, it gives time for things to settle out and become clear. People chat informally in small groups and develop new understanding. Group facilitators have time to organize information and proposals so that others can make sense of it all. Emotions cool and personal views become clear. Time heals.
Taking a break is often the most efficient way to proceed.
– Craig Freshley
Click here for one-page PDF of this Tip, a great way to print or share.
This metaphor comes to me upon reading the first part of the article: An Angler’s fishing line – As one repeats the casting gestures to ‘hit’ the right spot in hopes of a great catch , often the line can become knotted, tangled, bird’s nest…to the point that all hopes of a perfect cast can not be attained and fishing (for the moment) ceases. The angler reels in the line, can untangle knots and re stretch the line or cut the line completely and in some cases may even replace the reel – Once the Angler’s decisions are made, readjustments are made and a return to the task at hand, generally resulting with renewed hope and clarity, better proficiency and an overall desire to tackle the task at hand in hopes of reaching the intended goal – The outcome met is how well we concentrate, how flexible we are …And…
Understanding when our interests are shared we are more apt to make decisions together easily. When we want a personal interest heard we are more apt to create opposition and conflict
I like to fish with shared interests from everything that surrounds me…I have never had a bad fishing day!