This slide deck will guide business leaders on how to make as well as facilitate sound, quick decisions. Lack of making decisions impacts the progress of teams and hence productivity. We take this for granted but will be surprised to learn how many resources are wasted due to a lack of speedy, sound decisions.

1. Effective Decision Making
Anita Rao
April 2013

2. Y?
Once you make a decision, the universe
conspires to make it happen. ~RalphWaldo
Emerson

3. Agenda
 3 Cs of Decision Making
 Two approaches to decision making
 Point-counterpoint
 Tool – Logical Decision Making
 Decision making framework
 Q&A

4. The 3 Cs of Decision Making
• Convey openness
• Listen attentively
• Explain rationale
behind the decision
• Deciding too early
• Deciding too late
• Require vigorous
debate
• Prohibit language that
triggers defensiveness
• Break up natural
coalitions
• Shift individuals out
of natural grooves
• Challenge stalemated
participants
Consideration ClosureConstructive Conflict
Source David Garvin & Michael Roberto

5. Two approaches to Decision Making
Advocacy Inquiry
Concept of decision
making
A contest Collaborative problem
solving
Purpose of discussion Persuasion & lobbying Testing and evaluation
Participant’s role Spokespeople Critical thinkers
Patterns of behavior Strive to persuade others
Defend your position
Present balanced arguments
Remain open to alternatives
Minority views Discouraged or dismissed Cultivated & valued
Outcome Winners & losers Collective ownership
Source David Garvin & Michael Roberto

6. Structuring the debate – Point-counterpoint
Team divided into 2 groups
• Generate one or more
alternative plans of action
• Develop a proposal
• Flush out
recommendations, key
assumptions & critical
supporting data
• Present the proposal in
written & oral forms
Group A Group B
6
Subgroups come together. Debate proposals, seek agreement on
common set of assumptions. They strive to agree on a common set
of recommendations.
Source David Garvin & Michael Roberto

7. Tool – Making Decisions Logical &
Defensible
Selection
Criteria
Selection
Criteria
Option 1 Option 2
Brainstormed
Criteria
Criteria
clarified &
ranked
Highest
Rated
Option Second
Highest
Rated
Option
Risks &
limitations
How the risks
can be
minimized
Risks &
limitations
How the risks
can be
minimized
Assess risks and limitations for each of the highest rated options
Source Murray Hiebert & Bruce Klatt

8. Improving decision making
A Framework
List & prioritize
the decisions
that must be
made
Assess the
factors that go
into each,
frequency,
what
information is
available to
support it
Design the
roles,
processes,
systems &
behaviors
Institutionalize
tools &
assistance
1 2 3 4
Source Thomas Davenport

9. Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any
excuse to change any and every part of your life in an
instant Anthony Robbins

10. ThankYou
Twitter @anitaprao;
Blog:
http://anitapaulrao.wordpress.com/
Linkedin:
www.linkedin.com/in/anitarao
Slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net/raoanita