3 Ways to Make Faster, Better Decisions
Photo Credit: Lori Greig via Compfight
It’s simple. Difficult, also. But simple as well.
1. Get clear on what you’re trying to decide
You’ve probably experienced being in a meeting when there’s a fierce debate about … well, you’re not quite sure any more. The room’s suffered “scope creep” and suddenly the conversation may or may not be about what you think you might be talking about.
If you’re confused, then you’re unlikely to be alone.
Ask this question: What’s the decision we’re looking to make here?
2. Get clear on the data
In The Last Feedback Workshop You’ll Ever Need, we spend some focused time helping people differentiate between facts and judgments.
Facts = what’s true
Judgments = your interpretation of the situation and the people involved.
Straight-forward when you put it like that, but it’s remarkable how quickly we become certain we are that our point of view is The Truth and Nothing But The Truth.
Judgment is important and useful. But start by creating a shared understanding of what the data is.
Ask this question: What do we know to be true?
3. Get clear on how the decision is going to be made
Is this a democracy? Or a benevolent dictatorship? Or is the decision-maker not even in the room?
Work on the assumption that there’s just one decision maker – or at least, one person who has the last say.
Once that gets clear, there’s less hot air all around.
Ask this question: How do we make a decision here? Who’s “on point” for this?
How do you make decisions more quickly?
How do you make better decisions?
