The learning objective is not to guess the best option. It is to change how unique information enters the decision.
All exercises
ChallengeDecideHigh
Hidden Profile Decision
Show how groups favour shared information and prematurely converge.
45–60 min8–16
Purpose
Practise information pooling, independent judgement and decision revision.
Output: Information-pooling protocol and revised decision record
Materials
- Common brief
- Private information cards
- Decision record
Preparation
- Design alternatives so shared information favours a plausible but weaker option.
- Distribute unique decision-relevant facts across roles.
Facilitation steps
1
Private review
8 minParticipants inspect their information and record an initial choice.
2
Round one
12 minThe group discusses and records a provisional decision.
3
Reveal process
8 minList which facts were shared, repeated or ignored.
4
Structured pooling
12 minEach participant contributes unique facts before advocacy resumes.
5
Round two
10 minRevise the decision and record why it changed or remained.
Observe
- Who speaks first?
- Which shared facts are repeated?
- Does the leader's preference close exploration?
Debrief
- What prevented unique information from entering?
- Which routine should change in real decisions?
- When must leaders speak later?
Transfer to work
Use the protocol in the next high-stakes cross-functional decision.
Failure modes
- Participants know the hidden-profile mechanism in advance.
- The debrief celebrates the correct answer but ignores the process.
Accessibility
- Use screen-reader-friendly private cards.
- Allow written contribution before speech.