In the first of our “Two minute reads” series, we briefly unpick decision making and look at ways in which individuals can help themselves and their team make better decisions.
How to make better decisions?
How do good leaders make ‘good’ decisions?
Do you find it challenging to make decisions? Do you find that making decisions where the whole team needs to be involved can be challenging or frustrating?
Individuals have differing needs when it comes to making timely, informed and reliable decisions. That can have an impact on a team, or even the dynamic of a whole organisation.
Different approaches to decision making
From the more cautious, information gathers…..
Some people not only like, but need, as much information as they can get. They may then need the time to analyse and consider that information before making a decision. This is particularly so if they are faced with a major 
decision that will have an impact on themselves and others. They may prefer to consult with others and take time to reflect. They may feel intimidated by those who do not need, or want, to do so.
To the confident, more rapid decision makers….
Those who are confident to make decisions quickly and on limited information may find colleagues who take more time to be frustrating. They may consider that they procrastinate. Individuals who are confident making decision may want to close things down and move on to the next issue. The danger is that they may have missed important information.
So what can we all do, to make better decisions?
All of those involved in taking decisions and leading others can develop their self awareness to inform and improve their approach. Time spent sharing and appreciating our own and colleagues’ preferred way of working, can help increase both our collective and individual self awareness.
This could be through:
- Time spent reflecting alone or with your team
- Taking a personality profile and spending time reflecting on it
- Sharing the outputs of personality profile with colleagues
- Work-based exercises designed specifically to develop decision making processes
All of these approaches will encourage team members to appreciate their colleagues’ strengths, and to use those strengths to make the best decisions.
For more information on how we help leaders reflect and develop, please contact us on: info@deardenassessment.co.uk
We recently described a case study example of how we provided development support to an organisation as part of a internal development programme. This may also be of interest.