Understanding the "One-Third Plus One" Method

In a recent leadership seminar, I encountered a fascinating approach to decision-making within teams. This method allows groups to swiftly identify and evaluate potential solutions, ultimately leading to a consensus decision.

One of the most impressive aspects of this method is its speed and the likelihood that the resulting solutions will be superior to those crafted by an individual leader alone. This technique also offers numerous additional benefits, which I will delve into later.

The Process of the "One-Third Plus One" Method

The method consists of several straightforward steps:

1. Identify a Problem or Topic

   Start by pinpointing a challenge or issue that requires resolution. This can apply to a wide range of scenarios, from enhancing customer service to brainstorming ideas for a new product or planning the next team event.

2. Gather Experts for a Meeting

   Organize a session with relevant experts, and introduce the topic on a flip chart or whiteboard. Begin the discussion with the prompt: "What opportunities do we have to improve (situation/problem)?"

3. Collect Possible Solutions

   Allocate three minutes for team members to independently write down their ideas for improving the situation. Encourage creativity without initially considering costs or feasibility, while still asking for realistic suggestions.

   • Option 1: Document all ideas on a whiteboard.
   • Option 2: Each member selects their top three ideas.

4. Rank the Solutions

   Next, prioritize the ideas. To determine the number of votes each participant has, divide the total number of solutions by three and add one. For instance, if there are 12 solutions, each person would have 5 votes. Participants will then spend two minutes reviewing the list and voting on their top choices.

5. Tally the Votes

   Review the list, allowing team members to indicate their votes for each idea. This will yield a prioritized list highlighting the most viable solutions, often leading to one or two standout options.

Advantages of the Method

As previously mentioned, this method boasts numerous advantages:

• Team members collaborate on solutions, relieving the manager of the sole burden of decision-making.
• The quality of solutions improves due to collective input from diverse experts.
• Team members feel valued and motivated, as they actively participate in selecting solutions.
• The approach facilitates the combination of ideas into new proposals.
• Implementation is quick and straightforward.

The first video titled "Group Decision Making Techniques" explores various techniques for effective decision-making within teams. It provides insights into how structured approaches can enhance group collaboration and lead to better outcomes.

The second video, "Group Dynamics: How are decisions made in groups?", delves into the dynamics of group decision-making, highlighting how decisions are reached collectively and the factors that influence the process.

Join me in exploring this effective approach further!