Decisions, decisions, decisions

We make decisions everyday. Sometimes the choices are big and sometimes our decisions are small. But we have to make them. How do you approach making your decisions?

There are two extremes to the “Range of the Decision-Making Processes.”

A.???? Are you quick to make choices? Or

B.???? Do you investigate your options before arriving at a decision? Both can be acceptable; it all depends on the circumstances around the decision.

What is clear is that using a single approach for all choices will be dangerous in terms of the outcome of your choice. Making quick choices on big issues without considering alternatives can lead to problems later that you could have resolved given a little more time in the thinking and evaluation processes. Equally I have seen people investigate to the extreme where they never get enough information to finalize a decision. So, one extreme on the Decision Continuum is rash whilst the other is prevarication.

So how could we approach the decision continuum? For me, the first step it to decide how important the decision is? For this I review potential consequences of making the wrong choice.

E.g., 1 which cake shall I eat today? Well, the most serious consequence of a wrong choice is not feeling too well afterwards because I want a second after the first and then another. Oh well here goes I love chocolate cake and will enjoy it even if I do over do it. This needs no evaluation just decide and move on.

E.g., 2. Should I have the Covid injection? The consequences of living my life without an injection is that I don’t have to have that needle in my arm, and I can continue life as normal – don’t mind wearing a mask etc. But that decision has downsides – I could die from Covid, it might impact my job future, or I just get locked down! It took a little longer, but I chose to have the injection and get on with normal life (if life will ever be normal again).

So, decisions are about choices. The real challenge for you is CAN YOU LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CHOICE YOU MAKE?

Some ideas on making decisions:

1.????? Is it a decision you have made before?

a.????? If so, how did it work out last time?

b.????? What can you do to improve the results of the decision you made before?

?

2.????? If the potential consequences are small outcomes just make the decision and move on.

a.????? Don’t waste your time prevaricating.

b.????? There are better things to do with the time you have.

?

3.????? If the consequences are big then undergo some analysis

This is called a decision matrix (refer to picture above). Identify upsides and downsides of your decision and try to demonstrate which are bigger outcomes than others. Include “feel good” issues as well as hard data facts such as costs.

?

Generally speaking, you need to be able to handle the negative issues in order to maximize the positive outcomes.

?

4.????? The matrix must include “hard” numbers such as expense issues, but it must also include soft issues such as people’s “feelings” which you will need to address after making your decision.

?

5.????? If your decision will impact others then share the choice you have to make and allow them to express their ideas, concerns, etc. In a team leading environment, you might want to use the decision matrix with them allowing them to add dimensions and to suggest their impact value. Making decisions for a team is an important part of leadership and I make a few key points for you:

a.????? Sharing the decision-making process gives powerful cohesion to team unity. That said business is not a democracy where the majority rule. Just because a decision would be popular does not mean it is the best decision for your company.

b.????? The decision is still yours to make even after allowing the team to contribute as there are other people to satisfy (your bosses, customers, shareholders). You need to seek the views of all parties before moving forward.

c.????? If your decision is the same as most of the team wanted that’s great. Now negotiate what you expect of them to make the decision work.

d.????? If the decision you make is not the same as one or more of the team wanted, then take the time to explain why you are choosing a different route forward. Again, include what you need from them to make the decision work.

?

6.????? Identify some key future positions/results that will let you know if the decision is working well or what issues are arising. Clearly, you must resolve the issues that arise and push on to further measurement points. But also remember…………

?

7.????? DECISIONS ARE NOT MADE FOREVER. If you have established key measurements of how the decision is working in the future, you might come to the conclusion that you could have made a better choice. Be brave and be willing to change the decision based on the results you have experienced if this is what is needed. This is called LEARNING.

?

Don’t let decision-making bog you down in prevarication. Apply a little common sense, make your choice, and move on. The worst decision is to make no decision. Make your choice, move on, and then evaluate whether you could have made a better choice. Learning from life is a profitable process if you are confident enough to listen to others and then commit your whole team to progress the choices YOU make. Good luck.

?