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How Do YOU Make a Decision?

“I just don’t know what to do!” When you hear yourself utter these words of confusion and frustration, you know you’re at a crossroads. A decision is looming, the stress of uncertainty is pressing, and the fog of inertia is moving in. It can feel like a giant storm is gathering on the horizon.

No one likes to be in this position, but we’ve all been there. It can be very scary to commit to a specific position or course of action, but the ability to make timely, well-considered decisions is a necessary life skill on the road to success, no matter what direction you’re going.

At the core, decision-making is a critical aspect of leadership – whether you’re leading your own life, leading a group, or leading a company. Each person has a specific style that feels most natural. Some people take their time and consider all the angles; others are quick and intuitive. Either approach can work well.

The question is: can you make clear, solid decisions and move forward with confidence?

According to renowned psychologist Herbert Simon, there are two distinct types of decision makers:

•    Maximizers try to make an optimal decision, aiming to maximize results and make careful tradeoffs. This can be a time-intensive process – just ask a perfectionist! Maximizers are always on the lookout for better options, but they may not be as  smart as they think! Research suggests that the more options a maximizer faces, the more unhappy they become.

•    Satisficers simply try to find a solution that is “good enough.” It’s not that they settle for mediocrity; in fact, they make have very high standards. However, as soon as they find something that meets their criteria, the search is over and they feel satisfied. They tend to regret fewer decisions, and they are generally happier in their romantic relationships and lifestyles

Of course, no one is entirely one type or the other. Many people are maximizers in some areas (i.e. large purchases) and satisficers in other areas (i.e. restaurants) – but it’s interesting to note that the more you lean toward being a maximizer, the more anxious and stressed you’re likely to be. (A fascinating and popular book, The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz, explores this in detail.)

In other words, choose your (internal) battles carefully.

Roadblocks to Effective Decision Making

If our thoughts and perceptions are distorted, it can be nearly impossible to make a decision that will lead to a good outcome. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

•    Stress – The more pressure you feel, the harder it can be to get clear on how to move ahead.

•    Fear of making the wrong decision can mean no decision at all. History is full of examples where battles were lost by a leader’s failure to make a decision – not by making a poor one.

•    Wishful thinking – We often want to see things in a positive light; this can distort our view of the situation and the options at hand.

•    Source credibility – We reject or accept input from a person, organization, or group based on what we believe about that source. This can skew our thinking, shifting us away from the truth.

•    Repetition – We tend to believe what we have been told most often and by the greatest number of sources.

•    Inertia – We are creatures of habit. Unwillingness to change what we did or thought in the past can prevent us from exploring new options or recognizing solutions

Take a few minutes to think about how you make decisions. The more you know about your own tendencies, the easier it will be to move ahead in life.

Questions to Consider:

1.   Are you more of a maximizer or a satisficer?

2.   Which roadblock do you experience most often?

3.   When you feel paralyzed by indecision, what is one strategy that gets you moving again?

Posted by Amazing Editor in A Page of Insight.