Together We Decide spans 277 pages and is organized into sixteen chapters and four parts. The four parts include:
- The Basics
- Attitudes
- Practices
- Even When We Disagree
The Basics
In the Basics, Freshley highlights the importance of decision-making on the group, organization, and even the world. He points out that, in many cases, we are trying to win rather than make the best decision possible. He emphasized the issues our Congress has because they are more focused on winning rather than governing. More could be done if they thought of the greater good than their narrow viewpoint.
Freshley shares that a good group decision makes things better in terms of profit and peace. Lives will be enriched because of the decision. This is the hard part of decision-making. It can’t be better for some people.
The other chapters in this first part focus on ways of decision-making and the impact that organizational culture has on decisions. If you want to improve your decisions, you have to first improve your culture. Freshley offers suggestions. Additionally, the book, What You Do Is Who You Are: How to Create Your Business Culture dives deep into culture.
Attitudes
The book’s second part addresses the attitudes and beliefs that decision-makers bring to the table. “Good group decisions are almost impossible when one or more of the decision makers are too close-minded self-centered pessimistic stubborn or arrogant” (Freshley, 2022, p. 60). Freshley shares five attitudes that the group must enact to make good group decisions. I believe the first attitude sums up the rest: to place the community first. This means that you will accept what others give the group and be willing to give freely without holding back.
Other chapters in this part of the book stress topics such as keeping an open mind when participating in the process. If you are not open to different viewpoints and ideas, you may miss out on excellent ideas and solutions. Freshley also stressed the importance of the group over the individual. This is a common theme throughout the book. Freshley shared that Quakers influenced his viewpoints on group consensus and the importance of looking out for the welfare of the entire group.
Practices
The book’s third part focused on strategies for creating the suitable climate for good decision-making. It begins by establishing or highlighting the group’s vision, mission, and goals. This was a timely topic because I just finished teaching a graduate course on program planning and evaluation. Goals and objectives are at the heart of program planning. The goals and objectives stem from a well-crafted vision and mission statement. You have to have a strong “Why.”
Freshley then goes to discuss filling the seats around the table. Do you have the right people present? He then discusses the importance of meetings and how to do them right. A vital tool for meetings is the agenda. An agenda lets everyone know the why, who, when, where, and what. It is a plan of action.
One of the ideas I really liked was the creation of written proposals to float a new idea. This gives gravitas to the idea. Freshley also stressed the importance of giving your idea a name so it could be referenced along the decision process.
It is also essential to being transparent in the process. There should not be any backdoor deals being made. Decision-making should happen in the appropriate venue with all decision-makers on hand.
Even When We Disagree
The last part of the book discusses how to move forward when there are disagreements. It is a matter of respect. Nothing will get done if we are trying to best our enemies. Good decisions come when we focus on what is best for the community. A good idea is a good idea. President Truman once said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” We need more of this in the world.
Every day, we are involved with group decisions. Together We Decide shares many ideas for effective decision-making. It is more than tips or tricks; it is a mindset. It is about putting the community above the individual. It is about respect. Using what Freshley shares, you will make better decisions that better more people. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who is part of a decision making process… basically, I recommend it for everyone.
Photo by Mikael Blomkvist: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-group-of-people-discussing-marketing-plans-6476255/
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