Can Making Decisions be Less Complex and Ambiguous?
On a daily basis, leaders are faced with decision making that can involve complexity and ambiguity
taking us out of our comfort zone. It is a relief when decisions are simple to make and clear in
choosing well defined alternatives. However, the real world decision making is not that simple.
However, knowing and understanding the Process and the Stages of decision making can make our
method to making decisions a little easier.
Decision making is not a one-size fits all. With decision making, we have to think in terms of
opposing thoughts and that allows us to find a new model or combine models to address unique
problems to make decisions.
Types of Decision Making Models
The Decision Models are:
 Rational Model – this model considers a wide range of viewpoints with little bias and it is the
most common model
 Intuitive Model – goes on gut instincts. This model requires previous experience and pattern
recognition
 Creative Model – collecting information and insights about a problem and coming up with
ideas for a solution. This model is similar to the rational and intuitive model. The difference is
not weighing the pro and cons like the rational, but to go with the subconscious and not think
about it like the intuitive model.
The Decision Making Process and Stages
Stages in Decision Making
The decision making process helps make deliberate and thoughtful decision by organizing the
relevant information in stages. The stages for decision making are:
 Identify and Dissect Problem
 Gather Information
 Identify Alternative Solutions
 Weigh the Evidence
 Evaluate Alternatives
 Take Action
 Evaluate and Document
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Process in Decision Making
From the decision making stage, the process establishes how to execute the relevant
information. The following matches up the stages and the process to make decisions:

1. Identify and Dissect the Problem – determine prominent factors, seek less
   obvious relevant factors
2. Gather Information – gather information inside and outside the team and
   company to identify different solutions to the problem
3. Identify Alternative solutions – look for as many alternative solutions as possible;
   consider multidirectional and non-linear relationships among factors, analyze
   causality
4. Weigh the Evidence, See Problem as a Whole- analyze how parts fit together and
   how decisions affects one another, envision the decision architecture, resolve
   Opposing Ideas – generate innovative outcomes, achieve resolution
5. Evaluating alternatives – make final decision after weighing and considering all
   the information
6. Take Action – it is time to implement the solution but first develop an
   implementation plan to make sure everyone understand the solution
7. Evaluate and Document the Solution – evaluate to show that the problem has
   been solved, the impact it has on the team and company, benefits of the solution,
   and how change is being adapted. Also document the decisions made to make
   sure everyone has a record for clarity and training; and also for tracking in case of
   challenges.
   What Is Good Decision Making?
   Good decision making is entering the decision process with an open mind and not let
   your biases get in the way. Make decisions after researching alternatives and
   understanding the consequences.
   For the Decision Making to be Effective, Consider the Following Rules:
   A. Strategic leaders focus on broad long-term perspectives of decision making
   B. Don’t hide – in the organizational level; you have too much work to do on the
   Strategic Level making policies, formulating ideas and concepts.
   C. Network – for feedback, support, resources, information keep the lines of
   communication open all of the time.
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   D. Strong network – have all team members believe in and be a part of the decision
   process. They need to know how important their input is to the success of
   implementing the ideas.
   E. Buy-In – have some way for the team members to “buy in” and support the
   decision. You must have “buy- in” for the decision to take hold.

• Ideas and concepts only have value if it can be integrated in the flow of the
  business.
• Great ideas are only as good as the weakest link, identify the weakest links.
  F. Build strong relationships in the network – because you need to generate ideas,
  concepts, and relationships outside your team to foster support.