An Investigation in How Six Sigma Project Teams Should Make Rational Decisions in Shared Leadership Environments

It is proposed that shared leadership environments have an effect on six sigma team decision-making as well as the methods used to make decisions. It is also proposed that the consensus decision-making method is the technique that is the most effective and related to the fundamental conditions of a shared leadership environment. Furthermore, it is believed that a model of shared leadership decision-making can be developed from the results of these hypotheses. Research has found that a strong relationship exists between shared leadership and team decision-making principles and approaches. As a six sigma team becomes more involved in the shared leadership model, the methods utilized to make decisions change in such a way that the power is more distributed among members; the team moves from a single individual decision method, towards a shared decision method. Review of the relationship between shared leadership and team decision-making techniques has shown that the consensus approach is the most effective in satisfying the fundamental conditions and requirements of the shared leadership model. A model of decision-making in shared leadership environments is proposed for use by teams to determine the type of decision-making method that should be employed as a team's level of shared leadership increases.