Effective Decision Primer for Leaders

When an organization’s leadership is challenged with uncertainty on things like direction, purpose, objectives, it can be difficult to determine where and how to deploy resources appropriately and to know if the organization is on track and being effective. The ripple effect consequences are confusion, delays, and lack-luster results.

To be most effective and less frustrating, it is important for the organization to be clear on what it’s really trying to achieve, set a course of action to achieve the intended outcomes with accountability, and be well positioned to enable the workforce to implement a key strategic plan outline. A simplified framework is below:

3 Step Process

1) Big Picture Questions - What Matters Most To Be Successful

2) Focused Priorities and Clear Processes

3) Alignment & Accountability to Implement the Plan Effectively.

The workplace demands high-quality decisions, and leaders are often asked to make many decisions in rapid succession. We are judged by our track record of outcomes, which are based in part on the effectiveness of our decisions.

A decision can only be as good as the information on which it's based. But even good information can lead to bad decisions if interpretation of the data is distorted by bias. We all have the potential to bring bias to our interpretation of information that influences our decisions. To the extent that information comes from outside sources, we also need to consider the potential for bias from others.

Making the Decision:

Armed with available information, leaders have to weigh the urgency and importance, resources and feasibility, obstacles and consequences, alternatives and possibilities, and ultimately the effectiveness. Decisions should be fair and empathetic and consider the impact on the people that have to implement them.