by Decision-making is a leadership skill that managers use to assess a situation and determine how the organization may proceed. The decision-making process involves the following steps:
- Devising solutions: After learning more information about the case, the manager creates one or several possible solutions.
- Weighing options: The manager analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each option and explores alternative solutions if needed.
- Identifying the challenge: In this step, the manager discovers an issue and determines the circumstances that led to the situation.
- Making a choice: Once a thorough assessment takes place, the manager makes a final decision about what action to take.
- Informing others of the decision: The manager informs employees of the decision and explains how the decision influences the workplace.
Analytical Skills
Analytical skills help you collect and assess information before you make a final decision. An analytical person zooms out on the problem, looks at all the facts, and tries to interpret any patterns or findings they might see. These kinds of skills help you make fact-based decisions using logical thinking.
Emotional intelligence
Individuals with high emotional intelligence are better at controlling and processing emotions in challenging situations. This skill set enables managers to empathise with the feeling of their team members, making it easier to communicate with each of them. It allows them to have a healthy discussion about a challenge and create an environment where each person’s thought process receives an acknowledgement.
Critical thinking skills
Critical thinking skills are essential for decision-making because it allows managers and leaders to gather information and analyse it to extract critical data. These skills ensure that a leader’s decisions offer a desirable outcome and minimise the risk of errors that might disrupt the project or company’s growth. Critical thinking skills involve a lot of research and reflection on past scenarios to solve similar challenges.
Logical reasoning
Leaders evaluate all the data and facts presented for making critical business decisions. To ensure you make the right decision, it is essential to evaluate and review the advantages and disadvantages of your decision. When choosing between alternatives, consider every data point to guide decision-making. Decisions backed by data and reasoning help you stay committed to achieving organisational goals.
Creativity Skills
Decision-making isn’t just all facts and figures; it also requires creative thinking to brainstorm solutions that might not be so straightforward or traditional. Creative decision-makers think outside of what’s been done before and develop original ideas and solutions for solving problems. In addition, they’re open-minded and willing to try new things.
Collaboration Skills
Good decisions take into account multiple ideas and perspectives. Collaboration skills help you find a solution by working together with one or more teammates. Involving numerous people in the decision-making process can help bring together different skillsets, exposing you to other problem-solving methods and ways of thinking.
Leadership Skills
While collaboration is often crucial for good decision-making, someone must take the lead and make a final decision. Leadership skills can help you consider all perspectives and decide on a singular solution that best represents your team members’ ideas.
You don’t need to be a manager to take the lead in decision-making. Even if you don’t have the final say, speaking up and sharing your ideas will not only help you stand out at work but prove you can be an effective leader.
