Commitment

Question

Hi,

These two sentences are shown in comparison between ‘individualist’ and ‘collectivist’.
Decision-making takes twice as long in teams. (individualist)
Decision-making in teams is the only way to get commitment. (collectivist)

The meaning of “commitment” is not very clear to me.
Could you please help.

Thank you,

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Commitment is a way people dedicate themselves towards the task performed in a group thus creating a feeling of a team and showing loyalty.

Avangi · Answer

ladybird25Decision-making in teams is the only way to get commitment.

It would be possible for a group of people to come to a decision without the individual members of the group believing that the decision is "the right thing to do." That is, many of the people are not " personally committed" to the action agreed upon, even though they may have been persuaded to "vote" for it.
As individuals, they may not enthusiastically support the idea.

I don't exactly follow your designation of the "two sentences" as "individualist" and "collectivist" respectively.

Are you suggesting that the individualist would complain that a team approach takes too long?
What would be an example of individualistic decision making? One person alone making the decision? It seems like such a person would be committed.

Ladybird25 · Answer

Thank you Fandorin and Avangi.
I think I got the idea.

Avangi, the sentences were quoted from my textbook on effective negotiation.
I’ll put a little more passage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How would you describe the dominant attitudes towards leaders and teams at your workplace? There are seven contrasted statements below. Is your work culture more individualist or collectivist?

Individualist
Leaders need to have strong personalities.
Individuals come up with the best ideas.
Some people are not worth listening to.
Decision-making takes twice as long in teams.
Individualist should be rewarded for their success.
When something goes wrong, someone must take the blame.
The best companies have the best leaders.
Collectivist
Leaders need to be sympathetic to the group.
Teams come up with the best ideas.
Everybody is worth listening to.
Decision-making in teams is the only way to get commitment.
Teams should share their rewards equally.
When something goes wrong, the blame should be shared.
The best companies have the best workforce.
---------------------------------------------------
I think the above-listed items are what “individualist” and “collectivist” tend to think.

Avangi Are you suggesting that the individualist would complain that a team approach takes too long?

I had an impression that “individualist” does not just like the lengthy process of making decision in teams.

Thank you.
ladybird

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, lb. This clears up some of my confusion. It seemed at first like random criticisms by proponents of one type against the other.

A couple of days ago I just happened to read a terrific article in the January 30 New Yorker by Jonah Lehrer on this very subject. If you're serious about it, I'll see if I can send it to you. It shows the rather surprising results of some recent research on individual vs. group decision making.

Rgdz, - A.

Ladybird25 · Answer

Thank you, Avangi, for your kind reply.

AvangiThis clears up some of my confusion.

Well, I should have put the passage when I first post the question. Sorry for the trouble.

AvangiI just happened to read a terrific article in the January 30 New Yorker by Jonah Lehrer on this very subject. If you're serious about it, I'll see if I can send it to you.

Thank you for that information. I have just found the article through Google. I'll read it later today.
Thank you very much.
ladybird

Commitment

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions