The Headscratcher Post    

February  2007               The Headscratcher Post ©  Headscratchers LLC           Edition 22

Decision Making …Ever think about how you make decisions?   We have.  It’s a complicated subject and worthy of more than a few paragraphs.  But here’s one aspect of it; Transitioning from Thinking to Decision and about when decision makers get critical thinking input from others.

Thinking:

Incubation:  You start to register and remember certain observations, or tidbits of a future goal. You haven’t yet declared it a problem or something to solve, or are even conscious of it.

Declaration:  You now recognize a goal or issue that needs attention and you begin to focus on it.  You transition into formal thinking about it, i.e. Headscratching, with the intent of getting a result; a.k.a. critical thinking.

Transition to decision:

Preliminary conclusion:  During thinking, (and perhaps with input from others … see below), you get an idea of what you may want to do.

Decision: You make a specific decision using a variety of thinking elements.

Done and on to execution.  You are moving forward with the decision.

Consider a few different types of decision makers; The Cliff Jumper, The Runner, and The Skier.

The Cliff Jumper

The Runner

The Skier

At the other extreme is the Runner.  They generally communicate and solicit thinking early.  When they get to Decision, many are aware and have given their input.   This could happen quickly or slowly and is great for buy-in, but could lead to analysis paralysis, and decisions that are too “democratic”.

Some decision makers move from Declaration through Decision to Done so fast that they often communicate the problem simultaneously with their decision.  These folks are Cliff Jumpers.  Decision making of this sort is very decisive and efficient, provided the decision is the right one and the team can keep up. However, because others learn about the problem at the same time as the decision, critical thinking input is difficult.  To give input to a Cliff Jumper, it must be done at the Incubation stage, often difficult because the decision maker them self may not even be aware that they are working on a problem.

Then there’s the Skier.  While they may get to their preliminary conclusion without including others, they don’t make a final decision until they have obtained critical thinking from others.

Thinking

D

Execution

Thinking

Decision

Execution

Thinking

Decision

Execution

Input from others

Input from others

Input from others

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So how do you make decisions?  Think about it, we’d like to know.  You can email us your thoughts at thinking@headscratchers.com.

The Takeaway.  Decision making … a complicated process.   We believe that the sooner critical thinking takes place amongst a small group of people the better.  Also, if the transition from Preliminary Conclusion to Decision has a moderate speed by incorporating the critical thinking of a few, the more innovation and diversity of solutions occur to address an issue, or create a plan for a goal.   All styles can work and by understanding your style, your reports and your manager’s you can better know when they’re in critical thinking mode … the best time to get and give input.

Headscratchers, LLC:  Critical Thinking Techniques for Innovative Solutions

Designed for people who have difficult business problems to solve, Headscratching is a problem solving methodology that results in more innovative and successful solutions.  Simply stated: We help people become better Headscratchers.   We specialize in the application of this process towards Product, Services and Operational challenges and partner with you to solve these business Headscratchers.  Contact us at www.headscratchers.com.

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