As a manager, your ability to make sound decisions is crucial to the success of your team and organization. However, decision-making is not just about making the right choice; it's also about having a well-defined process that guides your actions. Without a process, you cannot have sustained success with your decisions.
In this blog post, we'll explore why having a clear decision-making process is essential and how teaching this process to your team can lead to better outcomes.
Benefits of a process
Consistency and Efficiency: A well-defined decision-making process ensures that decisions are made consistently and efficiently. When everyone on your team understands the process, they can follow it to reach decisions more quickly and with less confusion. You will find that the team is able to make good decisions, most likely the same decisions you would make, because they know your process.
Improved Quality of Decisions: A structured process helps ensure that all relevant factors are considered before making a decision. This can lead to better-quality decisions that are based on sound reasoning rather than impulse or bias. Even when your team comes to you to make the decision, they will have the information you would request because they know your process.
Transparency and Accountability: By teaching your team the decision-making process, you create transparency around how decisions are made. This can help foster a culture of accountability, as team members understand the rationale behind decisions and can see that they are being made fairly and objectively. It also helps your team understand why you’ve made decisions, building trust.
Empowerment and Development: Teaching your team the decision-making process can empower them to make decisions autonomously when appropriate. This not only frees up your time but also helps develop their skills and confidence in decision-making. Your team will make these decisions with confidence and comfort.
Alignment and Cohesion: A shared decision-making process helps ensure that everyone on your team is aligned with the same goals and values. This can lead to greater cohesion and collaboration, as team members understand how their individual decisions contribute to the overall success of the team.
How to Teach Your Team the Process
It should go without saying, but the first step is to have a process. You may have more than one process – for example, one process for complex decisions, another for simple decisions. However many you have, they must be defined and you must use them consistently.
You don’t have to have a formal meeting or training to discuss your process, but you should go through it with the team as you are making some decisions. Don’t just focus on the decision, but listen to your math and science teachers – Show Your Work. Let the team see how you define the question properly and narrowly, what information you seek to help make the decision, what factors you consider more important, and how you got to the final decision.
One note: Even great managers will occasionally make a decision that differs from what the process dictates. There might be times when you are trusting your gut or want to do something different. That is ok – but explain it and make it the exception, not the rule.
Once you’ve done that several times with an individual, the key is to transfer the process to them through questioning. The next time they ask for a decision or are in the room during a decision, ask them questions to walk them through your process. Don’t give the answers or your opinion, but get them to answer the questions. They will find that they get to the same decision as you would. This gives them confidence and also helps you know that the process is being transferred.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a well-defined decision-making process is essential for effective management. By teaching this process to your team, you can improve the quality of decisions, increase efficiency, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability. Empowering your team with the skills and knowledge to make sound decisions will not only benefit them but also contribute to the overall success of your organization.