Why making decisions is hard
Does it feel that making decisions in your organisation is hard? Have you tried to set roles in decision-making, tried different processes, but none of these seem to work?
If you do the same things, you will get the same outcomes. It is time to think differently about decision-making.
Why decisions are hard
There are some simple, and irrational reasons why:
Our brains are overloaded, we can’t cope with processing everything we are being asked to assimilate.
If we are pushed to make a decision, we feel the pressure, and it makes us feel uncomfortable.
Our defensive wall goes up, known in neuroscience as an amygdala hijack, our fight or flight system kicks in. A threat has been identified
Our risk taking, and open mindedness reduces, we go for safe what we know.
With full threat response underway, we use one of three well-used tactics
Defence: we feel under threat, we fight, we pick holes in the arguments, we hope you will go away.
Delegate: we suggest that other opinions should be sought, we look for consensus. this buys us time.
Defer: we ask for more data, which takes time
Each of these tactics are designed to buy ourselves time to think, to not be forced to make a decision in-the-moment, which feels too risky.
To make faster decisions, avoid the defensive wall triggering in the first place. Create the space to think and de-risk the decision.
Practical advice
Recognise that leaders are busy, do not surprise them, ever!
Offer choices with consequences, humans like to have something to refer to
Reduce the sense of risk through scenarios, phasing or fallback plans
Remember that there is only one decision-maker and they know who they are. If they look to a group to bolster their confidence and de-risk, ensure the group is primed and ready too.
If are asked for more data, recognise that this is really about time. Be patient, give time, assess whether you *really* need to get more data.
Consider briefing one day, allowing time to think (best done with a sleep), then making the decision in a short meeting the next day.
