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Decision making is an essential requirement of management and the very best leaders appear able to make crucial decisions effortlessly standing on their feet But what exactly is a decision “ and what is it not?
According to the dictionary, the verb ˜decide means ˜to determine, to end, to resolve, to settle and to make up ones mind, while the noun ˜decision is ˜the act of settling, making up ones mind, etc. Someone in a position of power is said to be a ˜decision-maker and we refer to those who do make up their mind as ˜resolute or ˜decisive.
The Latin root of the word means to ˜cut away. This points to what a decision really is: to cut away the surrounding clutter, to enable one to see a path to an objective and, by taking a decision (or a series of decisions), to follow that path with all of its implications.
What it is not “ A decision is not allowing events to take their course willy-nilly. If you did, an outcome would still occur “ but one not influenced or decided upon with due regard to the surrounding circumstances. Such an outcome represents an inability or lack of desire to analyse and reach a conclusion; control has been surrendered. This might not matter “ for example, when merely choosing what perfume to wear “ but can be of major consequence where commercial or other vital decisions are required
Decision-making is about deliberately opting for one choice from two or more, proactively to optimise a situation or outcome and not let it happen by default.
It is also about trying to minimise the element of chance or risk in life, by taking decisions and actions that will influence the outcome in ones favour.
To sum up, decision-making is:
¢ The selection of an option over others (which could include no action)
¢ Under conditions that are uncertain
¢ Which exposes you to a risk
¢ In order to reach a specified goal, objective or outcome.
There must be a choice and it must be taken proactively, otherwise it is merely an occurrence.
Copyright © 2006 Jonathan Farrington. All rights reserved
According to the dictionary, the verb ˜decide means ˜to determine, to end, to resolve, to settle and to make up ones mind, while the noun ˜decision is ˜the act of settling, making up ones mind, etc. Someone in a position of power is said to be a ˜decision-maker and we refer to those who do make up their mind as ˜resolute or ˜decisive.
The Latin root of the word means to ˜cut away. This points to what a decision really is: to cut away the surrounding clutter, to enable one to see a path to an objective and, by taking a decision (or a series of decisions), to follow that path with all of its implications.
What it is not “ A decision is not allowing events to take their course willy-nilly. If you did, an outcome would still occur “ but one not influenced or decided upon with due regard to the surrounding circumstances. Such an outcome represents an inability or lack of desire to analyse and reach a conclusion; control has been surrendered. This might not matter “ for example, when merely choosing what perfume to wear “ but can be of major consequence where commercial or other vital decisions are required
Decision-making is about deliberately opting for one choice from two or more, proactively to optimise a situation or outcome and not let it happen by default.
It is also about trying to minimise the element of chance or risk in life, by taking decisions and actions that will influence the outcome in ones favour.
To sum up, decision-making is:
¢ The selection of an option over others (which could include no action)
¢ Under conditions that are uncertain
¢ Which exposes you to a risk
¢ In order to reach a specified goal, objective or outcome.
There must be a choice and it must be taken proactively, otherwise it is merely an occurrence.
Copyright © 2006 Jonathan Farrington. All rights reserved