What do you do if your Higher Education career is at risk due to poor decision making?

Acknowledging a mistake demonstrates a sense of ownership and responsibility. In a higher education setting, where decisions can have significant consequences for students, faculty, and institutions, taking ownership of mistakes is essential. It shows integrity and a commitment to rectifying errors. Admitting mistakes can actually enhance your credibility and build trust with colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders. People are more likely to trust individuals who are honest about their shortcomings and willing to learn from them. In a career in higher education, where collaboration and trust are crucial, this can be particularly beneficial.

Whole heartedly accept what you did wrong. Sincerely apologise. Ask for guidelines, seek mentors help. Promise that you will do great in the next step. Communication is the key.

Reach out to individuals within your professional network who have experience and expertise in your field. Look for mentors who have a track record of making sound decisions and navigating challenging situations effectively. You could request one-on-one meetings to discuss your concerns openly and honestly. Express your willingness to receive constructive feedback and guidance on improving your decision-making skills. Approach these meetings with an open mind and a willingness to listen. Be receptive to feedback, even if it's difficult to hear. Remember that constructive criticism is an opportunity for growth and improvement. Prepare specific questions and seek feedback from a diverse range of perspectives.

Create a plan of action to address the issues and improve your performance. Identify specific areas where you need to make changes or improvements, and outline actionable steps to achieve your goals.

One thing in my experience in the Higher Education sector is performance speaks. Everybody has their bad day and dry spells, but recovering from that and constant want to recover is the key. Never give up untill the last drop. Introspect and self motivate to make your career a blooming success.

Consider Seeking Professional Help: If poor decision-making stems from underlying issues such as stress, anxiety, or personal difficulties, consider seeking support from a counselor, therapist, or career coach who can provide guidance and assistance. Ultimately, taking proactive steps to address poor decision-making and demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional growth can help mitigate the risks to your higher education career and position you for success in the future.

Consider creating a personal action plan that addresses the root causes of past misjudgments. Reflect on decision-making processes and identify areas for improvement, such as seeking diverse perspectives or allowing more time for reflection. Think about the role of mentorship and continuous professional development in mitigating risks associated with decision-making. Establishing a support network of experienced colleagues can provide guidance and reassurance as you navigate complex situations. This one can be a challenge for many, considering that not all countries have supportive systems in place.

Always make a note of the bad days and decisions. Sit on a weekly basis with yourself and see how you stand in the market. If falling short of the market needs, do some courses to gain knowledge. Remember - Strategy is the key, but execution is the door to success.

Be Open to Constructive Feedback: Remain open to receiving constructive feedback from supervisors, peers, or performance evaluations. Use feedback as a tool for self-improvement and growth rather than viewing it as criticism. Demonstrate Improvement Over Time: Consistently demonstrate improvement in your decision-making and performance over time. Show that you are committed to learning from past mistakes and implementing positive changes. Stay Resilient and Persistent: Understand that setbacks are a natural part of any career journey. Stay resilient in the face of challenges and remain persistent in your efforts to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

After having accept the situation & analyse deeply the root cause of such poor decision need to make robust road way to build proper safeguards into the decision -making process to reduce the risk of mistakes. Avoid emotional attachment to the issues in decision making. Ensure proper checks and balances in decision making. Need to consider alternatives may be with the help of AI tools and if required then need to revisit the inception analysis of the situation. Encourage further debate and challenge and have an eye on collection of new information as they emerge. Understand the fast changing environment and improve skills in predicting analysis will make road for avoiding poor decision, especially in unstructured decision making.