What Kind of a Decision Making Skills Do You Have?

Last year an article about decision making caught my eye. It’s relevant to the conversations and brainstorming sessions I have with my associates and clients every day. This particular survey polled 5,000 McKinsey Quarterly and Harvard Business Review readers.

Decision-making skills will make or break your business. One of my best attributes is that I can make decisions quickly. This moves me forward toward my goals. Often people get stuck in the analysis-paralysis, trying to make everything perfect and nothing ever happens. Are my decisions always right? No. Of course not. Yet, they always move me forward to the next right move.

Figure out what type of decision maker you are below, and then do one thing for me. Take action today on those big dreams and goals. I would rather you be left with a few mistakes that can always be improved on than a giant feeling of regret.

There are 5 distinct types of decision making: Visionary, Guardian, Motivator, Flexible, and Catalyst.

Visionary

Visionary decision-makers make key decisions based on transformative power. Though they can rush and go in wrong decisions, these business owners are inspiring leaders, even during dark times.

This group tends to be action-oriented, somewhat unstable, and unrestricted by a strict process.

Tips for Visionaries:

~get many perspectives and opinions
~hire people who aren’t afraid to disagree with you
~balance your imagination with structure and reason

Guardian

The guardian makes her decisions carefully, always planning in advance. Guardians make for great brand ambassadors but can overlook the need for changes at critical moments.

They are highly stable and almost always use a tried and tested process.

Tips for Guardians:

~hire advisors and consultants to keep yourself updated about major shifts and trends in your industry
~balance your structured approach with out-of-the-box ideas

Motivator

The motivator is charismatic and builds a loyal following; she’s also a pro at pattern-recognition. Unfortunately, motivators get derailed easily by short-sightedness in their decision making.

Tips for Motivators:

~go big on fact-based processes
~get yourself a devil’s advocate who can check your enthusiasm (blind optimism during hard times can actually make things worse!)

Flexible

The flexible decision-maker adapts easily to new situations and keeps an open mind. They’re also not afraid to take advice from people lower on the entrepreneurial food chain. These are great qualities but if unchecked, it can lead to paralysis by analysis!

Tips for Flexibles:

~create a trusted system for common, everyday decisions and set deadlines
~if you’re going to be flexible, learn to delegate

Catalyst

This makes up the biggest part of the population at 27%. Catalyst decision-makers are good at working with others to implement new ideas and nearly always excel at organization. At times, this can lead to an acceptance of mediocre results.

Tips for Catalysts:

~try fresh approaches to old processes
~have daily brainstorm sessions

So, what kind of decision-maker are you?

Part of being an entrepreneur and business owner is always learning about and testing new strategies. This should apply to how you approach decision making too. Remember: your business IS the decisions you make!

And to support you in these important decisions, I have just opened my exclusive low-investment membership club: E-Revolution. Join us today and receive tools, tips, guidance, strategy and support! Check it out here and then make the decision to move forward today. I can’t wait to guide your business success!

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