Discussion Methods
Well-managed safety committee meetings allow members to participate, and feel part of a decision. Reaching decisions involves looking for common ground and building upon a series of small agreements.
Are You Talking About These Things?
There are many decision making methods. Some common methods are outlined below. When choosing any of these methods, consider that the degree to which individuals "buy into" an agreement depends on how much ownership they have in the decision making process.
Majority Rule: This requires group members to consider options, discuss pros and cons, and vote. Participants agree that the group will adopt the option(s) that receive a plurality or majority of votes cast. Majority rule works best when the group has demonstrated a willingness to work together cooperatively, and when no one is so heavily invested in one or more options that they will not abide by the group's collective decision.
One-liners: The chairperson of a large safety committee might say: "You've been listening for the last half hour, and I appreciate your patience. Before going on, let's find out what is on your minds. Let's have comments from anyone who wants to speak, but limit yourself to one sentence."
The one liner technique provides members of the committee a chance to find out what everyone else is thinking. Members get a number of abbreviated opinions instead of one or two long speeches. The one-sentence limit may seem like an imposition, but once this pattern is set, each person will make a point of being clear and concise.
A survey: Ask for a show of hands to determine what members think about proposed ideas, to decide what to do next, and so on. Even this minimal level of participation gives people the opportunity to express a thought, feeling or opinion.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-5. Which of the following techniques provides the chairperson a chance to find out what everyone else is thinking?
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