Groups in Context: Leadership and Participation in Small Groups, 2d ed. - book reviews

Gerald L. Wilson and Michael Hanna. Groups in Context: Leadership and Participation in Small Groups. 2nd Edition. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 1990. 384 pages. $23.51. Decision-making in groups requires problem-solving skills. In order to appropriately solve a problem, one must use a model so that important stops are not bypassed and so a solution is not rendered that has little to do with the problem at hand. I have taken the liberty of combining several approaches into what I believe is a useful and valid single paradigm for problem-solving.

1. Problem Find. Find the problem by searching for the effects it causes.

2. Problem Define. Define how you know it is the problem, what you understand about it, what harm it is causing, how serious it is, and what key criteria must be met by any effective solution. What is the ideal outcome you should work toward?

3. Alternative Seek. Brainstorm alternatives to solving the problem without judging their value. Look at the problem from different perspectives and various frames of reference. Never accept only one "right answer" in this stage. Find the other "fight answers."

4. Problem Solve. Pick the best alternatives or the best parts of several alternatives. What parts seem to counter the problem?

5. Action Plan. Decide how to implement the solution, what order the steps will be in, and what the time frame is.

6. Monitor and Test. Mentally play out the solution to see if it works. Evaluate the progress toward the ideal solution.

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