Decision Making!!

During the class decision making exercise, I used the "Accommodation" strategy. I didn't want to fight for my idea if the rest of my group had a different opinion on direction. Moreover, I wanted everybody in my group participate in the activity. I thought the best way to make people participate is by listening to their ideas and incorporating them into the solution so that the group's work is no just one team member's work. I wanted everyone to feel like they contributed to the group's answer.

In hindsight, I think using "collaborating" would probably get a more desirable result. If group members approached the task by collaborating, the will have the chance to explain why they think their ideas works over others. While they are explaining, others can add their opinion and the result is that one might find out that someone else's idea is better than theirs or that a combination of two ideas make an even better idea. With all member's brainstorming together, the ultimate result must be better!

I have to admit that I handle confict differently when I am at work. At work I more often use a "compete to win" strategy which does not always end up with the best result. I want my co-workers to understand why my idea or opinion makes sense and is valuable. I feel I need to fully explain my idea until they understand my point of view first. If they understand and choose to go another direction then I don't mind letting it go. Also, When I have a different opinion with someone else, I always try to understand where they are coming from and mention that I understand what they are saying. Before I debate against someone's idea, I always try to highlight the good points of their idea so that I don't make anyone upset. Once I do that, I feel it is easier to try and make my point about why I think a different direction makes more sense.