Don't Throw Those Tools Away!

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:

1. What are a few words that describe your decision-making style?
2. What are the opposites of the words you chose?
3. 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