Most people focus on what decisions they make, but rarely consider how they make them. This oversight is significant, because the method used to arrive at a decision is just as important as the decision itself. A flawed process can undermine even the best intentions, while a sound method can significantly improve outcomes in both personal and organizational settings.
The Chain of Impact
The relationship between decision-making, action, and outcomes is straightforward:
- Decision-Making Method: The process used to evaluate options and choose a course of action.
- Decisions: The choices made based on that method.
- Actions: The steps taken to implement those decisions.
- Outcomes: The results of those actions.
This chain highlights a crucial point: if the outcomes matter – and they almost always do – then the selection of the decision-making method must also matter. Ignoring this link is a critical error.
Why Method Matters
The problem is that most people operate on autopilot, relying on intuition, gut feelings, or whatever feels right at the moment. While these approaches can sometimes work, they lack rigor and consistency. A systematic method, on the other hand, forces a deliberate evaluation of options, reducing bias and increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
As Jim Suhr points out, “Among the most important of all the decisions the world’s people will ever make are their decisions about how to make decisions, because their decisions about how to make decisions will strongly influence all the other decisions they will ever make.”
Beyond Individual Choice
This isn’t just about personal choices. Organizations that fail to prioritize sound decision-making methods suffer from inefficiency, missed opportunities, and ultimately, poor performance. Human performance – and therefore organizational performance – is fundamentally a decision-making process. By improving how decisions are made, individuals and entire organizations can dramatically improve their quality of life and effectiveness.
The Takeaway
The next time you face a significant decision, don’t just ask what to do. Ask how you will decide. A deliberate, well-defined method isn’t just a procedural step; it’s the foundation for better outcomes, increased efficiency, and lasting success
