Controversy in Groups Flashcards
Elephant (synthesizing, integrating)
Elephants highly value the goal and the relationship
Seek an integration of various opinions to make a decision
Decisions should increase achievement and reduce tension
Strategy requires high trust, fully explaining the rationale of your position, and learning rationales from others’ opinions
Wants to take everything into account, balance relationship and task
Golden Retriever (agreeing)
The relationship is more important than the decision being made
Emphasis on agreeing with others in order to maintain the relationship
Only care about the decision when others make the decision important
Bear (winning)
The relationship is of little importance
Feel their opinions are of the highest importance
Seek to dictate the nature of the decision
Decision-making situations are competitions, where the bear must win
Wants control
Penguin (majority rules)
Moderately concerned with both the relationship and the decision
Will use majority votes to decide where there is not enough time to integrate all points into a consensus decision
Ostrich (avoiding)
Avoids making any decisions
Values neither the relationship nor the decision-making process
Avoid issues and other people in the group
Controversy
The dissent that arises when one person’s ideas or opinions are incompatible with those of another person, and the two seek to reach an agreement
Doesn’t have to be a bad/big disagreement, just opens dialogue
We can use controversy to learn new things, encourage others to take on new experiences, and to resolve dilemmas without groupthink and concurrence-seeking
Increasing Positive Controversy
Make the ultimate goal salient Approach arguments with an open mind Listen for understanding Take time to formulate responses Be respectful toward the other person Don't be afraid to be wrong
I don’t feel listened to (dealing with negative controversies)
Model listening behaviours, they may not be aware that you feel you haven’t had the opportunity to speak. Consider how people naturally tend to mirror behaviours.
Politely ask individuals to listen: “I am trying to understand your point as much as possible; I need you to do the same for me.” Don’t tell, ask in order to get a more positive response
They don’t understand my point (dealing with negative controversies)
Attempt to restate your point using different (polite) language.
Ask if the listener needs specific parts of the idea repeated or explained (be aware of body language)
They won’t stop arguing with me (dealing with negative controversies)
Ask if a compromise can be reached, instead of agreeing on one side or the other (a compromise is not failing).
Make sure you are aware that you might be wrong (recognize when it is best to walk away and come back at another time)
Controversy Process
Circular process involving 5 stages
Research and prepare, present and advocate, open discussion, reverse perspectives, reach consensus
Research and Prepare (controversy process)
Researching points to strengthen and understand the argument
Know what you are going to be presenting
Gather valid information
Think through pros and cons and what other people may think in order to understand both sides of the argument
Present and Advocate (controversy process)
Try to persuade each side to believe the other’s views; introductory point on what each side believes
Want to have influence/impact
Beginning of formal debate process
Open Discussion (controversy process)
Present multiple points of evidence to reiterate that your argument is correct; it is important that the other side is able to do so as well
More open dialogue, questions, objections, etc (from both sides)
Reverse Perspectives (controversy process)
Get all agreed-upon facts out in the open
