Decision-making is about choices. It is making reasonable determinations about strategies, processes, and professional judgments. Very often with decision-making one is presented with differing and sometimes competing alternatives. Sometimes decision-making involves taking a risk. As such, a wise decision-maker goes through a process that involves evaluating the pros and cons. Decision-making skills are vital in all phases of business from interpersonal skills to product development and deliverables to clients.
A person skilled at Decision-Making is one who:
- Generates options and alternatives to address problems and opportunities.
- Brainstorms.
- Take the time to think through the consequences of decisions.
- Writes out options.
- Chooses appropriate actions with consideration for implications and consequences.
- Commits to action by taking a firm stand on decisions without wasting time.
- Inform others of decisions and actions taken.
- Takes initiative to re-establish priorities if necessary.
- Knows which information is appropriate to share with employees.
- Generates alternative thinking.
- Understands means-end thinking.
- Evaluates time lines to know when to re-adjust.
- Acts thoughtfully with regard to decisions.
- Knows when to say “no.”
- Evaluates different perspectives.
- Thinks through consequences.
- Guards against “instant” decisions.
- Knows how use a step-by-step approach to decision-making.
- Enlists advice of colleagues.
- Has plan in place to avoid crisis decision-making.
Adapted by Ferol our MBA on Campus, Copyright 2007 Watson