How do you evaluate and learn from the outcomes and impacts of your team's decisions?

1 Understand the decision context

Before you try to influence a team decision, you need to understand the context and the criteria that will guide the process. What is the problem or opportunity that the decision addresses? What are the objectives and constraints of the project? Who are the stakeholders and what are their interests and expectations? How will the decision be made and communicated? By answering these questions, you will have a clearer picture of the situation and the factors that will affect the outcome.

2 Build trust and rapport

Influencing team decision making is not only about presenting facts and arguments, but also about building trust and rapport with your team members. Trust is the foundation of effective collaboration and communication, and it can help you overcome resistance and conflict. Rapport is the ability to connect and empathize with others, and it can help you persuade and motivate them. To build trust and rapport, you need to show respect, honesty, and openness, listen actively and attentively, give and receive feedback, and acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of others.

3 Use positive and constructive language

The way you communicate your ideas and opinions can have a significant impact on how they are received and perceived by your team. Using positive and constructive language can help you influence team decision making in a more effective and respectful way. Positive language is language that focuses on the benefits, opportunities, and solutions, rather than the problems, risks, and limitations. Constructive language is language that provides specific, actionable, and realistic suggestions, rather than vague, general, or unrealistic ones. For example, instead of saying "This option is too risky and costly", you could say "This option has some potential drawbacks, such as the high cost and the uncertainty of the outcome. How can we mitigate these risks or explore alternative solutions?"

4 Provide evidence and examples

One of the best ways to influence team decision making is to provide evidence and examples that support your point of view and demonstrate its value and feasibility. Evidence can be data, facts, statistics, research, or testimonials that show the validity and reliability of your information. Examples can be case studies, scenarios, stories, or analogies that show the relevance and applicability of your information. By providing evidence and examples, you can enhance your credibility and authority, as well as appeal to the logic and emotions of your team.

5 Seek feedback and input

Influencing team decision making is not a one-way process, but a two-way dialogue. You need to seek feedback and input from your team members, as well as provide your own. Feedback and input can help you improve your understanding of the situation, identify gaps and errors in your information, and discover new perspectives and insights. They can also help you build rapport and trust, as well as show your respect and appreciation for the opinions and expertise of others. To seek feedback and input, you need to ask open-ended and probing questions, listen actively and attentively, and acknowledge and respond to the comments and suggestions of others.

6 Be flexible and adaptable

Influencing team decision making is not about imposing your will or dominating the discussion, but about finding the best solution for the team and the project. You need to be flexible and adaptable, and willing to compromise and negotiate when necessary. You also need to be open-minded and curious, and willing to learn and change when new information or circumstances arise. By being flexible and adaptable, you can show your leadership and collaboration skills, as well as your commitment and enthusiasm for the team and the project.