Introduction
If you ask the board, “Are the members free to state their opinions?” the members would say, “Oh yes, we are open and frank with each other.” We know that the collective wisdom is often better than the judgement of any single person. That is why many boards make decisions by majority rule.
Unfortunately, group decision making can fail to meet the gold standard. This happens when any single board member or small group of board members is determined to dominate the decision-making process. In other words, ‘the person/group is determined to get his/its own way.’
This article looks at the subject of open discussion from different perspectives. Those include: board members who speak freely; board members who agree easily with those who appear to be influential; board members who wait to see what the dominant opinion is before they speak; and board members who remain quiet
Those Who Speak Freely
People speak freely for various reasons. These include:
- I have something to gain here
- I have something to lose here
- I know what is right in this situation
- That will never happen again as long as I am on the board
- This is what the people I represent want and I am going to let them know that I put their position forward as the best solution.
- I am the most knowledgeable on this subject and the others should listen to me
- I studied this subject closely and my opinion is important.
People who take this stance want to be heard. They will observe their colleagues to determine who agrees with them. Some will contact their peers prior to the meeting to determine the lay of land and determine their tactic based on that information. They want the other board members to agree with them, leaving the basic tenants of their solution intact.
Board members who agree easily with those who appear to be influential
There are board members who sit back, let others express their opinions and then instinctively mirror those opinions without really thinking about or valuing their own ideas. It is important to those board members to be on the ‘right side of the fence’ so to speak. They place a greater value on being in the right place at the right time, and agreeing with the right people then they assign to their own value and position.
Board members who wait and identify the dominant opinion before they speak
These board members listen and assimilate the dominant opinion. Gregory Berns in his article on Social Conformity stated:
When individual judgment conflicts with a group, the individual will often conform his judgment to the group. Conformity may arise at an executive level of decision making, or it may arise because the social setting alters the individual’s perception of the world.
It appears that individuals activate the amygdala, a small organ in the brain associated with the fear of rejection. Thus it causes less stress to go along with the group then to stand out as differing from the group. They stay with the ‘in’ group.
Board members who remain quiet
Board members remain silent for a number of very good reasons. They
- think others find silent people more acceptable than opinionated people.
- do not fully understand the topic
- think others are well versed, and they do not want to appear stupid.
- would like more information and time does not permit it
- do not want to aggravate someone who they deem to have power and influence.
- need time to think and cannot do so with all the chatter.
The board chairperson and other board members may assume that silence means agreement. This is not always the case. The astute board chairperson seeks all opinions, identifies commonalities and differences, clarifies the data, and tries to bring the group to a consensus.
Unfortunately, most board meetings do not provide silent or thinking time. It is possible to incorporate it into a meeting if all board members are willing.
Final Comment
It is important for board chairperson to accept the different styles and ensure that all ideas are put on the table, all modes of processing information are accommodated, and all options with the associated risks are identified prior to making any decision.
