The second major function of a task group is decision making. Describe three approaches to decision making, elaborating the pros and cons of each approach.

The three approaches to decision making in a task group are:

1. Authoritative decision making: In this approach, the leader or a designated authority figure makes the final decision without consulting the group. The pros of this approach are that it can lead to quick decision making and can be effective in situations where time is of the essence. However, the cons are that it can lead to resentment among group members who feel their input is not valued, and it may not always result in the best decision due to the lack of input from the group.

2. Democratic decision making: In this approach, the group members vote on a decision, and the option with the most votes is chosen. The pros of this approach are that it allows for input from all group members and can lead to a sense of ownership and buy-in for the decision. However, the cons are that it can be time-consuming and may not always result in the best decision if the group is not well-informed or if there is a lack of consensus.

3. Consensus decision making: In this approach, the group members work together to come to a decision that everyone can agree on. The pros of this approach are that it can lead to high-quality decisions that have the support of the entire group. However, the cons are that it can be time-consuming and may lead to compromise decisions that are not always the best option.

In conclusion, each approach to decision making in a task group has its own pros and cons, and the best approach will depend on the specific situation and the dynamics of the group. It may be beneficial for a task group to be flexible and use a combination of these approaches as needed.