HBR - Preparing for Decision-Making Meetings

Preparing for Decision-Making Meetings

by Stever Robbins

Published on HBR.org / April 28, 2010 / Reprint H005EJ

Every decision-making conversation has three hidden conversations lurking just out of sight:

1. What are we trying to accomplish by even bothering to make a decision?
2. What are the criteria we’ll use to make the decision?
3. What are the different options, and which are we choosing?

How to execute:

1. Always chat one-on-one with each team member before the meeting.
2. Use these meetings to reach alignment or identify areas of contention.
3. Call the meeting to let the group share and own the decision that’s been made.