Input Gathering Template

Better decisions come from better input. This template helps you gather perspectives from your band before making important decisions.

Why Input Gathering Matters

With Good Input Gathering:

• Better decisions made
• All perspectives considered
• Buy-in is stronger
• Fewer surprises
• Trust is built
• Implementation is smoother

Without Input Gathering:

• Poor decisions made
• Important perspectives missed
• Resistance and pushback
• Unexpected problems
• Trust erodes
• Implementation fails

When to Gather Input

Always Gather Input For:

Major Decisions:

• Changing musical direction
• Adding/removing members
• Major financial commitments
• Tour planning
• Recording decisions
• Band name/image changes

Decisions Affecting Everyone:

• Rehearsal schedule changes
• Show booking policies
• Financial arrangements
• Band agreements
• Long-term commitments

Complex Decisions:

• Multiple options to consider
• Significant trade-offs
• Unclear best path
• High stakes

Contentious Decisions:

• Known disagreements
• Past conflicts
• Strong opinions
• Sensitive topics

Don't Need Input For:

Urgent Decisions:

• Emergency situations
• Time-sensitive opportunities
• Crisis management

Delegated Decisions:

• Within someone's role
• Already agreed upon
• Routine matters

Individual Decisions:

• Personal equipment
• Individual practice
• Personal commitments

Input Gathering Process

Step 1: Frame the Decision

Before gathering input, clarify:

What decision needs to be made?

Why does it matter?

What's at stake?

When does decision need to be made?

Who will make final decision?

• Band leader
• Majority vote
• Consensus
• Other: _______________

What input do you need?

• Perspectives and concerns
• Ideas and options
• Preferences
• Information and expertise
• Other: _______________

Step 2: Prepare Input Request

Create clear input request:

Template:

"We need to make a decision about decision. This matters because why. I want to gather everyone's input before we decide. Specifically, I'd like to hear:

1. Question 1
2. Question 2
3. Question 3

Please share your thoughts by deadline. We'll discuss together on date and make a decision by date."

Your Input Request:

Step 3: Gather Input

Methods:

Individual Conversations:

• One-on-one discussions
• Private and safe
• Deep exploration
• Time-intensive

Written Input:

• Email or shared doc
• Time to think
• Everyone can see
• Less discussion

Group Discussion:

• Band meeting
• Real-time dialogue
• Build on ideas
• Can be dominated

Survey/Poll:

• Anonymous option
• Quick and easy
• Limited depth
• Good for preferences

Choose method based on:

• Decision complexity
• Time available
• Group dynamics
• Sensitivity of topic

Step 4: Ask Good Questions

Types of Questions:

Open-Ended:

• "What are your thoughts on decision?"
• "What concerns do you have?"
• "What am I missing?"

Specific:

• "Which option do you prefer and why?"
• "What would make this work for you?"
• "What's your biggest concern?"

Exploratory:

• "What if we alternative?"
• "How would this affect you?"
• "What else should we consider?"

Prioritizing:

• "What matters most to you?"
• "What are you willing to compromise on?"
• "What's non-negotiable?"

Input Gathering Template

Decision Input Form

Decision: _______________

Background: _______________

Options Being Considered:

Questions for Input:

1. What's your initial reaction to this decision?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

2. Which option do you prefer and why?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

3. What concerns do you have?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

4. What am I missing? What should we consider?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

5. What would make this work for you?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

6. What's most important to you in this decision?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

7. What are you willing to compromise on?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

8. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Member 1: _______________ Member 2: _______________ Member 3: _______________ Member 4: _______________

Step 5: Synthesize Input

After gathering input:

Common Themes:

• What did everyone agree on?
• What patterns emerged?
• What's the consensus?

Notes:

Key Concerns:

• What worries people?
• What risks were identified?
• What needs to be addressed?

Notes:

Different Perspectives:

• Where do people disagree?
• What are the different viewpoints?
• Why do they differ?

Notes:

New Information:

• What did you learn?
• What hadn't you considered?
• What changes your thinking?

Notes:

Priorities:

• What matters most to people?
• What are the non-negotiables?
• What's flexible?

Notes:

Step 6: Share What You Heard

Before deciding, share synthesis:

Template:

"Thank you for your input on decision. Here's what I heard:

Common themes: summary

Key concerns: summary

Different perspectives: summary

What I learned: summary

Based on this input, I'm thinking direction. Does this accurately reflect what you shared? Anything I missed?"

Your Synthesis:

Step 7: Make Decision

Consider:

• All input gathered
• Common themes
• Key concerns
• Different perspectives
• Band's best interest
• Long-term implications

Decision:

Rationale:

How input influenced decision:

Step 8: Communicate Decision

Share decision with reasoning:

Template:

"After gathering everyone's input and considering all perspectives, we've decided to decision.

Why: rationale

How your input influenced this: specific examples

Concerns we're addressing: how

Next steps: what happens now

Thank you for your input. This is a better decision because of your perspectives."

Your Communication:

Input Gathering Best Practices

1. Ask Before Deciding

Why: Input after decision is pointless

How: Gather input early in process

2. Be Clear About Process

Why: Prevents confusion and frustration

How: Explain who decides and how input will be used

3. Ask Good Questions

Why: Better questions get better input

How: Use open-ended, specific, exploratory questions

4. Create Safety

Why: People won't share if they don't feel safe

How:

• Welcome all perspectives
• Don't punish honesty
• Consider anonymous options
• Respond non-defensively

5. Really Listen

Why: Input gathering is useless if you don't listen

How:

• Listen to understand, not to respond
• Ask clarifying questions
• Acknowledge what you hear
• Take notes

6. Synthesize and Share

Why: Shows you heard them

How: Summarize what you heard before deciding

7. Explain How Input Influenced Decision

Why: Shows input mattered

How: Point to specific input that shaped decision

8. Input ≠ Vote

Why: Prevents confusion

How: Be clear that input informs decision but doesn't make it

Common Input Gathering Mistakes

Mistake 1: Asking After Deciding

Problem: Input is meaningless

Solution: Gather input before you've decided

Mistake 2: Not Really Listening

Problem: People feel unheard

Solution: Listen with genuine openness

Mistake 3: Defensive Responses

Problem: Shuts down honest input

Solution: Welcome all perspectives, even critical ones

Mistake 4: Unclear Process

Problem: Confusion about who decides

Solution: Be clear about decision-making process

Mistake 5: Not Explaining How Input Mattered

Problem: Feels like input was ignored

Solution: Show how input influenced decision

Mistake 6: Only Asking Supporters

Problem: Miss important perspectives

Solution: Seek out different viewpoints

Sample Input Gathering Scenarios

Scenario 1: Changing Musical Direction

Decision: Should we shift from covers to originals?

Input Questions:

1. What's your reaction to focusing on originals?
2. What excites you about this? What concerns you?
3. What would we need to make this work?
4. What's your level of commitment to this direction?
5. What timeline makes sense?

Process:

• Individual conversations (sensitive topic)
• Written follow-up
• Group discussion
• Decision by consensus

Scenario 2: Tour Planning

Decision: Should we do a 2-week tour in summer?

Input Questions:

1. Can you commit to 2 weeks in summer?
2. What dates work/don't work for you?
3. What concerns do you have about touring?
4. What would make this tour successful for you?
5. What's your financial situation for this?

Process:

• Survey for availability
• Group discussion for concerns
• Individual conversations for financial
• Decision by leader after input

Scenario 3: Adding New Member

Decision: Should we add a keyboard player?

Input Questions:

1. Do you think we need a keyboard player?
2. How would this change our sound?
3. What concerns do you have?
4. What would you look for in a keyboard player?
5. How would this affect our dynamics?

Process:

• Group discussion
• Individual follow-up
• Decision by consensus

Key Takeaways

1. Gather input before deciding - Not after
2. Be clear about process - Who decides and how
3. Ask good questions - Open-ended and specific
4. Create safety - Welcome all perspectives
5. Really listen - With genuine openness
6. Synthesize and share - Show you heard them
7. Explain influence - How input shaped decision
8. Input informs, doesn't decide - Be clear about this

Good input gathering leads to better decisions and stronger buy-in. Use this template to make better decisions together.