Being in the military has taught me the value of discernment and adept decision-making — factors that were pivotal in my team’s ability to successfully execute plans of action, achieve set goals, and survive critical scenarios. These days, I’m beginning to realize how valuable these learnings truly are in business, especially since I find myself applying most of the skills I’ve acquired in my daily tasks as a business owner.
Decision-making is important in management because it’s instrumental in the proper allocation of resources, effective identification of opportunities, and achievement of set goals. Great decision-making is invaluable in minimizing risk exposure and ensuring that the business always runs efficiently.
Let’s talk about why decision-making is essential in management and why leaders must hone, exercise, and master this skill to the fullest. We will discuss some relevant aspects in which decision-making plays a vital role, including the magnification of available opportunities, curtailing risk exposure, and ensuring the business’ day-to-day operations are carried out efficiently. We will also discuss how it can be pivotal in promoting positive team dynamics.
The Importance of Decision-Making in Management
Decision-making plays perhaps the most vital role in management. Leaders need this skill in practically all their responsibilities, from day-to-day, mundane tasks to pivotal, momentous endeavors.
Some may think that dominance, influence, and power are the main factors that define a leader’s success. However, these are mere traits that, when unsupported by critical thinking, perceptiveness, and self-possession, are virtually worthless.
Good decisions thrust the business forward toward growth, stability, and success. Bad decisions, which unfortunately are inevitable no matter how skilled the leader is, can quickly send the business into decline. If not promptly arrested, a miscalculation or error can even spell disaster for the organization.
So why is decision-making so fundamental in management? Here are some compelling reasons:
1. Decision-Making Enables Leaders To Make Concrete Plans
Decision-making involves 3 basic aspects:
- the main reason why a decision needs to be made
- the circumstances in which the decision must be arrived at
- the desired outcome
A leader’s decisions may become ineffective and irrelevant if any of these 3 points are disregarded. The decisions they make from the get-go determine the direction the business will take to achieve the objectives and goals, as well as the strategies and tactics that must be employed to help the team get there.
A leader’s decisions also define the organization and its employees, effectively creating a reputation for the business. This helps carve a niche in the market, particularly for small businesses and start-ups.
2. Decision-Making Saves Time
Leaders decide on the organization’s daily operations, hence playing a significant role in defining efficiency. Effective time management is vital in ensuring that tasks are accomplished promptly, employees utilize their time spent in the workplace well, and team members understand that their contributions, no matter how seemingly trivial, are essential in ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow within the organization.
Here are some key aspects in which a leader’s decision-making skills can make a difference in how a team functions:
- Establishing work ethics and standards with which all employees are expected to abide
- Company guidelines on tardiness, late work deliveries, and delayed output
- Repercussions for sub-par work
- Guidelines on unproductive behavior in the workplace
Decision-making also plays a significant role in ensuring that the organization and its people aren’t wasting precious time. A leaderless group is bound to set out in different directions without someone to unite and direct them. Firm and sound decision-making is the tool that leaders can utilize to achieve their objectives for their teams.
3. Decision-Making Minimizes Risks
An organization’s risk appetite, when supported by sound and bold decision-making, can help make the company more confident in strategically pursuing its goals. It can also elevate the business’ risk tolerance so it becomes more prepared and willing to take on higher levels of challenges.
A friend once told me about a colleague who prided himself in being a risk-taker. They both handled their teams in an organization that specialized in facilitating corporate events and other big-ticket occasions. His colleague, Martin, would formulate such unique concepts that his team always felt like they were going out on a limb just to do something their boss believed had never been done before.
Martin’s outrageous and brazen ideas were initially well-received by their clients. In fact, he received so many commendations for being so creative that he was further encouraged to think even more out of the box. Unfortunately, Martin’s ego got the better of him, and his once ingenious ideas started becoming ludicrous, nonsensical, and even foolish.
His failure to temper his self-confidence and moderate his decisions led to his downfall. Clients no longer wanted to work with Martin, and the organization was left with no choice but to hand over the reins to someone more reliable.
Taking risks is necessary for a business to grow. However, leaders must strike the perfect balance between taking risks and ensuring that the organization and its people are always safe and secure. Excellent decision-making is the tool that smart leaders use to ensure that an organization’s risk appetite is adequately satisfied while making sure that unnecessary risks are evaded and available opportunities are effectively identified and maximized.
4. Decision-Making Saves the Day
Leaders aren’t exempt from making mistakes, nor should they be expected always to do the right things. However, what sets good leaders apart is the discernment to own up to their faults, readiness in showing accountability for the team’s actions, and proficiency in rectifying their blunders.
When faced with these duties, leaders can choose to carry the responsibility themselves or invite their team members into the decision-making process. The latter is becoming a popular alternative because it promotes inclusivity and sharing of responsibilities. Furthermore, the diversity of perspectives available when unique individuals gather to solve issues at hand will provide better-informed, more well-rounded solutions to problems.
5. Decision-Making Promotes Better Use of Resources
An organization’s pool of resources and funds can quickly be squandered if placed in the hands of inefficient and irresponsible individuals. By entrusting these to the right leaders, the business’ assets will be put to good use and leveraged to help the organization reach its full potential.
Top-tier decision-making skills will be instrumental in allocating resources and funds to the proper channels and redirecting them from those that are less than ideal. Leaders must make well-informed, comprehensive decisions that are cost-efficient and effective in achieving desired outcomes by utilizing assets on hand.
6. Decision-Making Improves Team Dynamics
Your employees are the backbone of your organization. They are responsible for a lot of the critical aspects of business operations, including firsthand relationships with your clients, direct impact on the products and services you offer, and ensuring your company’s day-to-day tasks are accomplished. They are also the “face” of your organization because they represent your business to the rest of the world.
The decisions leaders make almost always directly affect employees. They must keep in mind that these valuable resources must be nurtured, invested in, motivated, and kept virtually happy with their work. These can be accomplished through various activities that leaders can design, promote, and spearhead, such as:
- Team building activities
- Incentive programs
- Performance bonuses
- Employee perks and benefits
High job satisfaction will make them want to stay with the organization. A high employee retention rate translates to seamless, synergistic workflow, willingness to step out of their comfort zones, and quicker attainment of shared goals.
Final Thoughts
A leader’s decision-making skills are perhaps one of the most critical components of their career. It’s what sets good leaders apart and ensures the organization is in good hands. It plays a vital role in daily affairs and in pivotal events where making the best moves is crucial to success.
At Sancus Leadership, we’ll help evaluate and enhance your decision-making skills through relevant activities from which you’ll come out feeling bolder and more secure with your leadership role. When you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, book us a free leadership call so we can get started!
