A few months ago we had some similiar group exercises. I've done them time and time again. I got the same kinds of exercises, this time with some slight twists. As I heard the scenario, I had my decision in mind before even reaching for the pen. Very straight forward. I knew that everyone else would come to the same conclusion, because it was clear. No other possible outcome.
Imagine my surprise when I found a wide divergence of opinions. I don't know that there's any great need to be agressive in aserting one's viewpoint in these exercises, but what did come out was the ability to listen to others and learn. As I heard other's viewpoints and the questions they asked, my observations fell flat. They had ideas I hadn't even considered, and suddenly the scenario took on an entirely different meaning. I could have pressed on with my view, but in the end it would have been entirely wrong.
By working with the group, we opened up our thinking and solved the problem. This was the point of the exercise; it was a group effort in which no one person was correct. We all coordinated our discussion to include each member of the group to come to the proper end...perspective was provided. No loss of group leadership occured. There was no breakdown in the discussion.
Perspective.