Decision making is a critical part of every manager’s job. Effective leaders make sound decisions and guide their teams to use effective decision making processes.
Tips for making sound decisions from the Successful Manager’s handbook
- Determine if you have the necessary information to make a sound decision. If not, decide what information you need and how to obtain the information.
- Before you make a decision, establish criteria for making the decision. Involve people affected by the decision to help define the criteria.
- Know your goals for the decision. Then determine whether the goals address both the short- and long-term goals.
- Deliberately look at the issue from various stakeholders.
- Consider alternative solutions instead of going with the first option that presents itself.
- If you cannot think of alternatives, ask other people.
- List major areas of uncertainty and risk. Try to resolve, minimize or eliminate as many as possible.
- Look at each issue from several angles to get a better perspective and improve your judgment
Are you a person who says, “My decision is maybe – and that’s final”?
- John Mason