Introduction
This week’s first MSLD520 blog is a reflection
about my current decision making processes and I have been asked to reflect on
the following from the online video, Decision
Making Styles:
- What are a few words that describe your decision-making style?
- What are the opposites of the words you chose?
- Could you see any benefits to making decision using an approach that is based on either the opposites or somewhere in-between and what outcomes would you expect to see?
1.
What Are a Few Words That Describe Your Decision-Making
Style?
1. Cautious
2. Logical
3. Influenced by Others
4. Rational
5. Active
6. Assertive
2.
What Are the Opposites of the Words You Chose?
1. Risk Taking
2. Intuitive
3. Self-Motivated
4. Feeling / Emotional
5. Passive
6. Quiet
3.
Could You See Any Benefits to Making Decisions Using
an Approach that is Based on Either the Opposites or Somewhere In-Between and
What Outcomes Would You Expect to See?
Both sets of words would be used interchangeably
depending on the type of decision being made and the time that was provided to
come up with an answer. In a perfect world, the decisions that will have the
most success of having a positive outcome will be decisions that groups make
where time is allotted to perform critical thinking exercises (and being cautious,
logical, rational or quiet) and influence by others is an important group
factor. “Groups have more relevant knowledge and ideas that can be pooled to improve
decision quality…” (Yukl, 2013, p. 265). On the opposite side of the spectrum
concerning time, it may be necessary to act alone and on intuition (no time for
critical thinking). “Decisions often reflect the influence of intuition rather
than conscious rational analysis of available alternatives and their likely
outcomes” (Dane & Pratt; Salas, Rosen & DiazGranados; and Simon, as
cited by Yukl, 2013, p. 27).
Conclusion
MSLD 520 is really helping bring into focus all
of the bits and pieces of information I have been learning along the way in my
leadership training journey. Here is another piece (tools for decision making) that
helps illustrate that my inclinations for decision making and their opposites
are all valuable tools to have in the leadership toolbox. Each tool has a
function. We know the phillips screw driver and the ¼ inch ratchet are used
more than any tool in the toolbox, but don’t think the O-ring remover is never
used and pitch it…you just might need that one someday.
References:
San Mateo
County Community College District. (2012, April). Decision making styles [Video file]. Available from http://digital.films.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/play/7A2UTV
Yukl, G.
(2013). Leadership in organizations. Boston MA: Pearson
