monitoring and evaluating all operations and the agreed stages of the social start up process.
Clarifying the roles and responsibilities will help to determine the leadership structure and flow, as well as the lines of communication, policies, authority and responsibilities within the social start up. To enhance the participants ‟ performance and their ability to work together effectively, you must ensure that all team members are familiar with the expectations of all roles and their responsibilities. Thus, it is important that all participants have a defined role and clear responsibilities to ensure they are included and valued in the social start up process. All roles are important as the social start up process is a team effort.
If more than one person volunteers for a role, then ask the candidates to give a 1- 2 minute presentation explaining why they should secure the role and then ask the participants to vote in a secret ballot. In case a decision cannot be reached, it will be the mentor ‟ s responsibility to decide.
‣ Communication, Negotiation and Consultative Decision Making within the Social Start Up
Throughout the Social Start Up process, participants will be making many important decisions within theirEPG. The best approach to making decisions effectively and democratically is through consultation as this allows all participants to express their opinions or views openly, and for all the various views and opinions to be considered respectfully. Please remember to treat your mentees as you would like to be treated yourself.
Different opinions are valuable to consultation and decision making. Everyone ‟ s contributions must be respected, and all participants must be willing to listen and try to understand opposing opinions and ideas. Please share the Consultative Decision Making Principles as they appear in the box below, with your mentees and ensure that everyone is in agreement with them. However, do give participants the chance to revise these principles as the aim is to identify a Consultative Decision Making Protocol to be followed throughout the social start up process.
Consultative Decision Making Principles – please share these with the participants:
1. Be respectful – having a respectful and open attitude towards your colleagues will improve your ability to listen attentively, and to understand viewpoints that differ from your own. Being able to do that, means that you will be able to contribute constructively to the discussions.
2. Pay attention – make sure that you listen with respect and attention to your colleagues as they offer their views / opinions. You may not agree with what they say, but they may well raise valid and valuable points!
3. Ask questions – if you are unclear on a topic, or need further clarification, ask questions.
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