The art of good decision making

When I took on my first manager role I fell into a trap of over analysing everything and feeling in-capable of making good decisions. I often felt like I didn’t want to make a decision either because I didn’t want to upset anyone or because I just didn’t have a clue.

What I didn’t realise until it was too late the impact this was having not just on me (and the many sleepless nights) but the impact this had on my ability to build great trust with the team.

There are so many great benefits to having a well developed decision making skills ranging from:

• Improving efficiency

• Building great trust with the team

• Improved confidence in you

• Good strategic planning

Hopefully the tips this week will help you to enhance and build out further your decision making skills.

Lets jump in.

Tips for developing decision making skills

1. Get the information: In order to make well informed decisions you need to ensure that you get all the right information and data. Here we can all fall into the analysis by paralysis. Where we can’t make a decision where we over analyse or complicate something. When you get the data look for themes, what are these themes telling you? Use that information to look for a decision or outcome.

2. Review the options: Look at all the available solutions on the the table, if you need to get a pen and paper and write a pros and cons list. Doing this you will be able to see all the available issues and challenges as well as give you some fresh thinking points too.

3. Get input: Don’t make decisions in isolation connect with the team and get their input or thoughts. This will also help you see and understand others perspectives, they may well see things you haven't. Be aware that everyone will have an opinion but connect with those that you trust or even those you need to bring on the journey. Use this to tweak the solution.

4. Set clear criteria: At the outset get clarity on the outcome or overall objectives needed from the decision. What should this look like? Starting with the end in mind can help you work backwards to the right decision to make.

5. Reflect: As with all things in life, you will make wrong decision or wrong call. This is fine and it’s worth spending time to review the overall outcome and what can you learn from this. Do not shy away from this part as doing so will give you more knowledge and understanding the next decision you need to make. Its through our lessons learnt that really impacts improving better decision making.

Following these points should really help you to improve your ability develop your decision making tips as a new or even existing manager.

If you want to take this to the next level worth looking at some of the below resources and additional tips.

Developing skills further

1. Enrol in courses, something like the ManagerOS that can help you develop key fundamentals in a better way.

2. Get reading some books on the area and practice what you learn. Top books on this are Thinking fast and slow by Daniel Kahneman or Decisive by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

3. Get a coach. Using a coach who can help and provide feedback and guidance is hugely invaluable.

4. Practice: Connect with other managers or peers and practice some of the guidance above. Doing this in a safe space where you can walk through your decision making will really help you as then apply what you did in the scenarios. Or better yet review a prior decision to get feedback and growth areas.

Through spending time and doing more of these tasks you will see that improving decision making can be a really effective skill to have as a new manager.

Book recommendation

This weeks book recommendation is Thinking fast and slow by Daniel Kahneman. For me this is the book on decision making but also thinking space too. Highly recommend purchasing and reading.

PS if you have enjoyed this content then you should also check out my other content:

• Free mini course for your first 90 days as a new manager

• Looking at hiring? You must purchase this Interviewer Training Course

PPS: I have something in store…coming soon more information about ManagerOS