Decision-making by Consensus: The Palaver
🔥 Go with a team of managers, "hands" or clients and start a
palaver in the African way.
A palaver is a sort of a joint, collective meeting and decision-making process "by consensus" while at the same time creating and maintaining social links between the participants (normally all or part of a village community, although historically only the men).
The target of a palaver is getting something done in the environment/village/organization/leadership of the people. Every voice and hand counts, has a voice, is understood and appreciated.
Everyone knows what things are said, by whom and when. Towards the end of the palaver there is a strong readiness for action planning and it is clear what to do next and who should do it. The palaver is over and every one and all do what needs to be done...
Both a Palaver and
Ubuntu can be paired.
| |
|
Comments
|
| |
|
Andrew Blaine
Business Consultant, South Africa
|
|
Decision-making by Committee The camel is an animal designed by committee! So the saying goes. Management by committee is ideal because all involved agree and combine their different skills to reach the desired goal.
However, decision by consensus also has its limitations:
1. It generally takes (too) long. In urgent situations it is not very helpful.
2. It can only work with those prepared to compromise.
3. It is not hard to ensure accountability because the decision is made by many people.
4. The result of negotiation may deflect the original goal and, in the longer term result in the group not realising the initial objective, or only achieving it to a lesser extent.
In business, management are paid to make decisions and carry those decision through, and being accountable for the results. This is why they are paid more.
|
Log in
