Analysis of Leadership in Meetings:
The purpose of this exercise is to learn more about leadership in decision groups,
which is described in Chapter 11. Look to observe both effective and ineffective meeting behaviors.
You can analyze a couple of meetings within your organization, a civic community meeting, or committee meeting. For this exercise, you are to watch how leader with their behaviors control or not control the meeting and how the outcome of final important decisions are made. Use the worksheet included to record the meeting information either during the meeting if ok or after the meeting is over.
An effective behavior not included on the worksheet can be added on the back. Notes on the worksheet can be used to help in the analysis of reasons for the outcome of the meeting.
Select one meeting in which the group reached consensus on a decision and successfully implemented it. For the second analysis of a meeting, select a meeting that was unsuccessful because the group was unable to agree, or they made a bad decision (that could have been avoided by following better procedures and paying more attention to the available information).
Note: The effective and ineffective decision processes may involve two different meetings by the same group, or meetings by two different groups.
Write a small essay (paragraph for each meeting observed) describing the purpose of the meetings, the type of membership of the group(s), the role and authority of the leader(s), and the outcome of the meetings. A description of effective and ineffective behavior by the designated meeting leader should be included in the analysis of reasons for the success or failure of the decisions made.
The analysis should also evaluate leadership behavior by other members of the group. There may be an emergent leader who works to bring consensus to the decisions made.
Remember to review Chapter 11 on Leadership in Teams and Decision Groups
See page 304 – Major types of Leadership Behavior in Decision Groups:
Task function: 1. Process structuring, 2. Stimulating communication, 3. Clarifying communication, 4. Summarizing, 5. Consensus testing
Group Maintenance: 1. Gatekeeping, 2. Harmonizing, 3. Supporting, 4. Standard setting, 5. Process analyzing.
Worksheet for Meeting Leadership (See page 306) Guidelines for Leading Meetings
Instructions: Make a check mark next to any effective behaviors used by the leader and
make brief notes describing the behavior in more detail. Other leadership behaviors can
be added on the reverse side.
__ 1. Clearly explains the purpose of the meeting and required preparations.
__ 2. Describes the problem without implying the cause or solution.
__ 3. Shares essential information with group members.
__ 4. Allows ample time for idea generation without immediate evaluation.
__ 5. Encourages and facilitates participation by all members.
__ 6. Keeps the discussion focused on the purpose or objective.
__ 7. Uses systematic procedures for evaluation of proposed solutions.
__ 8. Clarifies communication and summarizes progress in a timely way.
__ 9. Encourages an integrative “win-win” solution if there is conflict.
__ 10. Clarifies member responsibilities for implementation.