What kind of considerations do you make when making decisions? PCM trainer Arie-Geert Jongeneel will guide you through six decision-making styles and show what is needed for a well-made decision.
6 ways to make a good decision
We make decisions throughout the day, and we do so in the way that feels most comfortable to us. Your decision-making style depends on your personality.
For some, decisions are primarily based on an analytical approach. For others, a principled consideration is the deciding factor. Still others make decisions mainly based on social reasons. There are also those who prefer to decide based on thorough and well-considered reflection. Or are you someone who makes a spontaneous decision because it simply feels right? Yet another person will primarily act in a decisive manner. Which approach is characteristic for you?
Condition for a good decision
A prerequisite for making good decisions is having sufficient energy. Only then can you think clearly and make well-reasoned decisions. At the same time, it's important to realize that not everyone makes decisions in the same way. So, don't impose your preferred way of deciding on others; instead, give everyone enough space to make a choice that best suits them.
How do you make your best decisions? Determine which style suits you best:
Analysis – information and consideration
You make decisions
primarily based on relevant facts. You gather all necessary information and then carefully weigh the pros and cons to arrive at a logical choice. A
decision that boosts productivity and improves efficiency will certainly bring you satisfaction. You find it challenging when there isn't enough information to make a well-informed choice.
Principled – values and trustworthiness
You make decisions
primarily based on your convictions, integrating your values, norms, mission, and vision into your considerations. Your conscience, which guides you on what is right or wrong,
plays a significant role in making a trustworthy choice. A decision that upholds your values and norms will certainly bring you satisfaction. You find it problematic when there is insufficient
trust or support for your opinion or beliefs.
Social – Compassion and Relationships
You make decisions primarily based on compassion, by
empathizing with the impact on others. With an open heart, you prioritize the human
aspect. Your sensitivity helps you make
humane choices, and you actively seek consensus. A decision that affirms your personal values
and protects interpersonal relationships
works well for you. You feel uncomfortable when there isn't enough consensus to make a decision.
Reflective – creating space for emergence
You make decisions primarily based on reflection and imagination.
You need time and space to explore all possibilities.
You leverage your ability to step back and think creatively, beyond conventional boundaries, to make sound decisions. Having ample space and time for contemplation brings you great satisfaction. You find it challenging when under high pressure with insufficient time and space.
Initiative – taking action
You make decisive and convincing decisions, even when you don't have all the information. For you, taking initiative is key to success, even if adjustments are needed later. A decision where success stems from your direct action brings you great satisfaction, especially if it involved risk or time pressure. You find it frustrating when you lack that excitement or challenge.
Spontaneous – gut feeling and reaction
You make spontaneous decisions based on your intuition.
You instantly know whether you like something or
not. Your creativity and ability to put things into perspective help you make decisions. And if something doesn't work out? You'll always find a solution. Decisions that allow you to use your creativity
and try something new bring you great satisfaction. It becomes challenging when you have to
choose between two or more options that are nearly identical.
Which style suits you?
There is no single best decision-making style. Which of these styles suits you
best is influenced by your personality. That's why everyone has their own preference for reaching a good decision.
And what about your partner, colleagues, or manager? How do they weigh their options to reach a decision? Their style might be very different from yours.
A powerful leader understands this, choosing not to influence others when
guiding them, but instead supporting them in making decisions
that align with their own needs, leading to sound outcomes.
Learn more?
Then sign up for
one of my training sessions and discover more about different decision-making styles and how they relate to personality.
And do you want to know how bad decisions are made and how we sometimes sabotage ourselves without realizing it? Then read my blog about bad decisions.
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