Idea 45: The decision maker as effective thinker
An effective decision maker is always an effective and clear thinker. The three essential skills are those of:
- Analyzing.
- Synthesizing.
- Valuing.
An effective decision maker knows that quick decisions are not necessarily the best ones, and that true decisiveness only results from thinking things through. Key decisions (and recognizing when you are being asked to make or be involved in the making of key decisions) demand that great care go into analyzing (the component elements), synthesizing (putting ideas together) and valuing (assessing relative worth).
The crucial elements in decision making are:
- Establishing the facts.
- Considering the options.
- Deciding the course of action.
In order to achieve these elements, the truly effective thinker has these attributes:
- Skills of analysis, synthesis and valuing.
- Being open to intuition.
- Imagination (to find new ways to overcome problems).
- Creativity (coupled with careful preliminary work).
- Being receptive to new ideas.
- Humility – recognizing when others may have better powers or knowledge and combining with their thinking with your own.
‘This problem is an opportunity in disguise.’
Always operate in the context of facing reality and of seeking for and speaking the truth.
To improve your performance you need to ask yourself honestly how good your skills are (and have been) at:
- Decision making.
- Problem solving.
- Creative thinking.
Do I make false assumptions and jump to conclusions? Am I prone to faulty reasoning or not listening to others?