11/11/11

Effective Decision Making

I have been fortunate enough to be raised around and work with what I believe to be some of the most intelligent and caring people I have ever met.

To me intelligence is not only your ability to retain information, or have the ability to thoroughly communicate with others, it is also your ability in Effective Decision Making.

Communication in decision making is a key factor and three things to really help you are:

  - Listen:  This requires closing your mouth and directing your attention to the person speaking, do not let your mind wander.

  - Ask Questions: Ask questions about absolutely everything. An inquiring mind is a brilliant mind.

  - Acknowledge a persons strengths: Just because someone does not enjoy or understand certain things that you do (i.e. Farmer vs. Banker) Both have there strengths and bring extreme value and knowledge in their respective area.

A very intelligent man that I work with on a regular basis outlined these 4 points on effective decision making yesterday afternoon. Although they were spoken in more mathematical terms they relate to every area of decision making.

1. Proof
        - Gather and show your supporting data

2. Evaluate
         - What are you looking for in this data

3. Are you satisfied with the current results
         - If not, what improvements are you making

4. Why do you recommend that decision
         - Write out your recommendation as though you need to have it approved by someone else

If you follow these steps as you meet decisions head on in life, you should have no issue making an effective one.

Remember, an effective decision is not always a the fun decision.

Affectionately, Tornado Aly

1 comment:

Lillian said...

Effective decision making also includes looking at things objectively. Seeing the things you may not want to see or haven't had enough experience to see. I find that a lot of people cannot see objectively. Once you start pointing out things to consider they take offense and become defensive, almost like you are somehow attacking them. Instead they assume you are negative or do not trust their ability to make decisions. Consider this: When someone is giving advice on something, what knowledge or experience are they bringing to the table? Where do they get their opinion from? Are they just relaying information they heard or have they dealt with something similar? Just a thought to share...