When it comes to a decision making model, I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure

A "how to" decision making model, including the best decision making approaches and the key factors affecting decision making, is explained here because.......

.....decision making fits nicely with problem solving.

As solutions (e.g. generated by using brainstorming techniques) have to be chosen and changes made etc., someone has to decide between options for action.

One definition of a decision making model is, "a judgement reached, and a choice made, after consideration of alternatives".

And there are situations in which effective conflict resolution will be necessary because not everyone involved may agree with the final judgement made, of course.

Are you good at making decisions?

Whatever your answer was, how do you know?

Good decision makers take initiative and deliver success.

That’s the chief criterion - whatever choice you make, after considering the options, did it deliver the best results?

Did the decision making model work effectively?

Did it yield a sense of achievement?

Could the same effective choice have been made quicker or more easily or cheaper or in some other way better?

These are all questions you may ask in order to learn and improve your decision making.


If you watch and analyse people involved in using decision making techniques, you would probably detect three common types of decision making:

1. dithering and procrastination.

Unsure what to do, hopping around between choices, avoiding any risk at all, and going round in circles.

Often putting off the decision until it either goes away (they hope) or it becomes desperate and something (almost anything) has to be done or until someone else makes the decision for them.

This approach may or may not deliver success and is, at best, an erratic and inconsistent use of a decision making model.

2. make a fast decision, without due consideration of alternatives or consequences, then spend ages living with or trying to sort out the problems that implementing the decision has caused.

This is the jump in with both feet and de-bug the weaknesses later approach.

This is impulsive decision making which gets fast action but doesn’t always deliver success because of the lack of forethought

3. slow decision making as time is spent collecting data, considering and generating options, checking out the consequences, and involving others in the process (all of which are effective decision making principles, of course).

This can be very frustrating as it seems that little is being achieved as the steps of decision making are being gone through.

However, once the best choice has been finalised (ie the decision has been made) and action taken, this approach usually delivers success because the decision has, in effect, been de-bugged before implementation (rather than afterwards as in 2. above).

In addition, this is a good example of decision making techniques in practice that usually leads to ethical decision making.

This involves using the decision making model to evaluate options, and their likely effects, in terms of everyone who may have a stake in the situation rather than taking a narrow view of only cost or legality or efficiency.

For example, you may want to challenge each of your options with the following questions before deciding which to choose:

* will this option be in the best interests of the group or community? (rather than a selected few)

* will this option do more harm than good? (and for which individual or group?)

* will this option respect the legitimate rights of all who have a stake in the decision?

* will this option treat all who will be impacted equally and / or fairly?

* will this option be congruent with my values and beliefs?


Did you recognise yourself in any of the above?

If you did, what have you learned?

What are you going to do about it?

There are as many ways of making decisions as there are people making them, of course, and the steps in decision making outlined above are not always accurately followed.

However, there are two main decision making approaches in terms of thinking:

1. left brain thinking approach

2. right brain thinking approach

Which approach is the best decision making model?

There is no absolute answer really, it all depends which decision making techniques best match the particular set of circumstances.

Practical experience suggests that using both types of decision making approaches is a smart thing to do.

However, in terms of self improvement, positive thinking and your unique thinking preferences will also come into play.
(Click here to see the benefits of negative thinking).

For example, if you have a strong left brain thinking preference you will probably lean towards using the left brain decision making model.

Conversely, those with a strong right brain preference to their thinking will probably favour the right brain decision making approaches.

Here's the self improvement payoff though, once you think you've made a decision (using the approach that matches your thinking preference and feels most natural), take some time to try the other approach and see what emerges (especially regarding ethical decision making).

Not only will you improve your ability to be decisive, but the quality of your decisions is likely to benefit and your personal growth and development will be improved.

These are great returns on your self improvement investment, aren't they?

As all you can do with decisions is make them and get on with it, a decision making model is more about attitude and confidence than it is about being the right formula - Click here to go to our Home page.


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