When I was an Army Officer, it was crucial that I conveyed messages to my team as accurately as possible because our missions were often matters of life and death. I would draw crude charts, tables, and maps to ensure I leave no room for miscommunications, confusion, and doubts in my team members’ minds. As an entrepreneur today, I still lean on visualization techniques to ensure my messages are accurately absorbed. 

Visualization of decision-making is the presentation of critical information in a more vivid, graphic manner to make it easier for decision-makers to identify patterns, trends, and deviations. This allows them to quickly draw actionable solutions, efficiently speeding up the decision-making process.

This article discusses the ideas behind visualization of decision-making and why it is a great strategy to employ in your team, especially if you’re aiming for better, more rational, and highly relevant plans of action. We will also discuss some of the common misconceptions and disadvantages linked to visualization, along with some pointers on how to combat these. I will then give tips on simple visualization techniques that you can promptly enforce in your company.

What Is Visualization of Decision-Making?

Visualization of decision-making involves presenting information in a graphical, more concrete representation to help make ideas and concepts easier to understand and analyze. Patterns, trends, and deviations can then be quickly identified, and conclusions can be swiftly drawn. Concise and proper visualization can help decision-makers efficiently formulate actionable solutions to various problems. 

Essentially, what visualization does is it tells the entire story concisely and precisely so that large amounts of information can be studied in just a glance. 

Misconceptions on Visualization of Decision-Making

Visualization is a powerful strategy that presents vital information in a more convenient, easier-to-understand manner. However, many leaders still hold qualms about enforcing this process, preventing their team from fully utilizing and benefitting from this creative and effective decision-making tactic.

Here are some of the most common false assumptions that you might also be harboring about the visualization technique in decision-making:

1. Information May Be Distorted

Some people worry that information can easily be filtered and tweaked to allow biases and self-serving motives to shine through. Although this is possible, the secret lies in transparency. 

To avoid distortion, make sure to cite sources and references. Gather comprehensive data, whether they adhere to your goals or not, to have a more inclusive stance on the issues at hand. 

2. Infographics Are Distracting

Some leaders feel that graphs, charts, and images may take away from the goal — that is, to make rational decisions to benefit the business. Admittedly, flashy, over-the-top designs might distract people from the true essence of the information you would like to share, so to eliminate this risk, stick to straightforward yet visually-appealing designs that can effectively convey accurate information. 

3. Visualization Techniques Require Skills and Money

Some leaders are unwilling to invest additional resources and funds into developing visualization strategies for their teams. Aside from these forcing the business to incur more expenses (and perhaps additional manpower), leaders worry that creating infographics requires special skills and know-how. 

Graphs, charts, and diagrams can be executed as simply as possible by using a whiteboard and marker, or as elaborately as you would like by utilizing modern technology. These days, there are many decision-making visualization tools that offer free access, drag-and-drop features, user-friendly interfaces, and creative templates that can help simplify visualization techniques for you. 

How Visualization Enhances Your Decision-Making Process

Visualization provides you with a way to better understand and analyze available information so you can make more comprehensive and well-informed decisions for your business. Leaders have long turned to it to better illustrate their points to their teams, but lately, visualization has become more prevalent with the advent of artificial intelligence in effective decision-making. 

Benefits of Visualization of Decision-Making

Let’s explore some of the benefits of using visualization to enhance the decision-making process:

1. Makes Information Easier To Interpret

Time is always of the essence when it comes to decision-making. The quicker you’re able to understand and analyze information, the faster you’re able to make the best decisions for your business. 

Charts, graphs, and diagrams work great for summarizing complex information into a simpler,  easier-to-understand format. You and your team will be able to assess data from different perspectives since the whole picture is virtually available to you. 

2. Information Interpretation Is More Accurate  

Long-winded explanations leave plenty of room for misinterpretations, confusion, and errors. By visualizing the decision-making process through infographics, you can be as objective and accurate as you can be and promote factual analysis and precise conclusions. 

3. Speedier Decision-Making

Since visualization allows people to absorb and interpret large amounts of information at a glance, decisions can be arrived at sooner and with fewer complications. Errors, flaws, and inaccuracies in the information presented can also be quickly identified, so decision-making becomes more logical and relevant.  

Cons of Visualization of Decision-Making

The benefits of visualization are overwhelming but it does come with some drawbacks. Here are some of those that you might want to mull over:

• Entails added expenses. Needless to say, visualization entails costs, even the most basic ones where only a whiteboard and markers are needed. Extra skills are also needed to conceptualize and develop visuals, which may also require additional expenses from the company. 
• Security issues. Having large-scale, crucial information all in one graph or table can be risky for the business. Privacy breaches may be encountered, especially when sensitive information is involved. 

Visualization Techniques

There are different ways to use visualization techniques to effectively get critical messages across to your team. Depending on what type of information you want to share, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more popular visualization techniques:

• Graphs and charts. These are great for tracking progress and identifying patterns and trends. Graphs and charts present information using an x and y axis, usually to compare data against each other. Here are some types of graphs and charts:

• Gannt charts. These are commonly used in project management to efficiently monitor timelines and tasks. 
• Pie charts. Used in dividing information and showing relative “slices” that represent percentages, figures, or shares, all of which add up to 100.
• Flowcharts and bubble charts. These can help show the various stages of a project and how everything is linked together. 

• Tables. Information is arranged in columns and rows, and is perhaps the most basic and easiest way to visualize information. 
• Geospatial visualization. Information is displayed in map form, revealing interrelationships between various locations. This is an ideal tool for when you want to open a new branch or relocate your office.
• Dashboards. These provide easy-to-understand summaries of interrelated information and metrics so that it will be easy to analyze, monitor, and implement various projects.
• Decision intelligence. One of artificial intelligence’s most practical applications in business is decision intelligence. Hand in hand with visualization techniques, collaboration tools, and other types of new technology, it can help enhance your decision-making processes. Here are 2 of the more popular methods:

• Decision trees. These are frameworks with “branches and leaves,” hence the term, that explores various solutions to given problems. Incorporated are potential costs, risks, and outcomes. Cloverpop is widely favored by business leaders for their drag-and-drop features and unique templates that help make decision-making more seamless and efficient. 
• Decision matrices. Information grids help analyze solution alternatives by ranking them according to viability and impact on the business. This works best for situations with binary options. 

Final Thoughts

Visualization of decision-making involves the process of reconstructing information into a format that is easier to understand, explore, and analyze. Trends, patterns, comparisons, and challenges can quickly be identified, enabling leaders to make better-informed, inclusive, and relevant decisions. 
When you’re ready to find out how visualization strategies can help streamline your business’ decision-making processes, schedule a demo right away with us at Sancus Leadership. We can tailor-fit a decision-making framework for your company’s unique needs that will allow you to achieve your goals quicker.

I have long since realized that managing a team of individuals, no matter how small or big that group may be, can be extremely taxing since you have to learn to multitask and address various concerns. I’ve often wished I could hire a robot that could do some of the more menial tasks for me so I could focus on more pivotal matters, especially with regard to making decisions. That’s why I’ve learned the value of structured processes, especially in decision-making. 

The most effective decision-making method for small groups is a structured, trackable method where established rules help make decisions simpler and quicker for you. A structured framework provides you with clearer views of what the outcomes might be for each potential solution you’re considering. 

This article talks about what structured decision-making is all about and how it can make a difference in running your business more efficiently. I will highlight some of the benefits attached to it, as well as some risks you might need to watch out for when taking this route. I’ll also provide some tips on how to introduce structured decision-making frameworks to your team, as well as some insights on how each of these could benefit your business. 

The Most Effective Decision-Making Method for Small Groups

A structured, trackable method is the most effective and reliable approach to making the right choices for small businesses. You need to have set guidelines and rules because, without structure, you essentially won’t have an established course of action or technique to work with. It would seem as if you’re merely throwing caution to the wind and hoping that things turn out favorably for your team. 

With structured decisions, also known as programmed decisions, for as long as the necessary information is accurately provided, the decision-making process is virtually repeated for as long as it is relevant and productive. The clearly-defined and consistently-applied parameters are revisited each time decisions need to be made. 

With this heuristic approach — heuristics being mental shortcuts or rules of thumb for simplifying problems — for making decisions, you’re provided a quicker way to analyze the situation and make decisions to efficiently achieve the desired results. 

Repetitive tasks within the organization are ideal for this strategy, such as:

• Inventory checks. Once your inventory reaches a predetermined threshold, you’ll instantly know that it’s time for reorders. 
• Recruitment. Certain parameters and criteria can be established to efficiently narrow down the list of promising candidates for specific positions. 

Misconceptions on Structured Decision-Making

Some leaders may think that a structured decision-making process will restrict their options and hold them back from making sound, relevant, and effective decisions for the business. Others fear that it may limit their power and authority as the head decision-makers in the organization.

However, structured decision-making isn’t simply about having rigid approaches to providing solutions to various issues. Rather, it’s about having established concepts, rules, and goals that allow you to assess the situation, analyze risks, and come up with the most logical decisions. 

Impact of Having a Structured Decision-Making System 

A structured decision-making technique for your business can help make certain processes more transparent and efficient. A unique system perfectly designed for your organization’s specific needs will make a significant difference in how much quicker and more competently you’re able to respond to a variety of workplace concerns.

Here are the pros and cons of adopting a structured decision-making method for your organization:

Pros 

• Saves time
• Exposure to the best practices in decision-making
• Provides a clear road map for the business
• Provides a concise audit trail — a detailed record of transactions and data over a specified period
• Timely decisions
• Relevant decisions
• Provides a systematic approach to dealing with specific and recurring workplace issues
• Improved transparency and efficiency in the decision-making process

Cons

• Availability heuristic. This is when you assume that something that previously occurred, even though it happened just once, will most likely happen again. This may lead to flawed decisions because choices are based on inferior and unreliable information.
• Optimism bias. This is a risk your company might face if you tend to be overly optimistic when drafting plans of action and predicting outcomes. Poor decisions may emerge from this mindset because choices aren’t based on accurate data.
• Anchoring Effect. This happens when you rely too heavily on information previously gathered and base your subsequent decisions on them.

Examples of Structured Decision-Making

Injecting some structure into your business’ decision-making process isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. What could work wonders for one business could potentially be disastrous to yours. You must design your approach to your organization’s unique needs and expectations to maximize the results. 

The goal is to choose or design a well-structured decision-making strategy especially for your organization, something you can always lean on in various circumstances. This is a great way to effectively evaluate results and implement changes whenever you deem them necessary. 

Here are some examples of structured decision-making strategies that have worked for other businesses:

1. Decision Tree

A decision tree is a tree-like map that displays a series of potential choices and their costs, benefits, ramifications, and possible outcomes. It offers you a visual representation of your available alternatives so you can better analyze, evaluate, weigh pros and cons, compare, and select the best possible courses of action for your business. 

Decision trees are great for simulating different scenarios so you can clearly see the bigger picture. The steps involved are pretty simple:

1. Identify the problem or the decision that needs to be made. 
2. Draw possible solutions.
3. Expand the tree by adding variables related to each “branch” or solution, such as costs, benefits, and consequences.
4. Continue expanding until you’ve exhausted all possible choices and potential outcomes for each alternative solution.  

You can do all these by hand, using good old pen and paper or a whiteboard and marker. You can also invest in decision intelligence software like Cloverpop. Its easy-to-use, drag-and-drop feature allows you to simplify decision-making and gives you a bird’s-eye view of critical scenarios involving business decisions. 

2. Influence Diagram

An influence diagram is similar to a decision tree since it maps out possible solutions and potential outcomes. It also allows you the chance to step back and see the bigger picture. However, unlike a decision tree, it isn’t as detailed. 

Influence diagrams are great for simpler decision-making, such as on-the-spot illustrations during group decision-making discussions or when you need to give your team a general overview of where the business is at and where you want to take it. 

3. A Tailor-Fitted Decision-Making Framework

Your company’s own decision-making framework would be extremely beneficial, especially for small businesses still trying to firmly establish themselves in the industry. A tailor-fitted approach to decision-making designed to meet your team’s specific needs will do wonders with how much more accurately you’ll be able to achieve your goals. 

We, at Sancus Leadership, can help you do just that — design a framework unique to your organization that takes into account your distinctive dynamics, profile, circumstances, and objectives. Schedule a demo with us so you can start to make better use of your time, avoid costly mistakes, and focus more on growing your business through an optimized decision-making framework.

Key Takeaways

A structured, trackable decision-making method is a smart way to simplify, improve, and maximize decision-making processes for your business, especially for recurring decisions that take away precious time from other issues that matter more. 
You can go the old-school route by turning to pen and paper for mapping out solutions and potential outcomes with your group through decision trees or influence diagrams. You could also invest in decision intelligence to make your decision-making processes more streamlined. More notably, you can design a unique decision-making framework for your business, one that is customized to your distinct needs.

Having spent 12 years in the military, I am living proof that the concept of shared accountability is essential in ensuring the success of a group no matter what their goal might be. In the army, we often made decisions as a team, mulling over pros and cons together, ensuring no stone is left unturned since our survival and triumph often relied on these decisions. Today, in my entrepreneurial journey, I still revert to these practices simply because they work. 

The most common decision-making process for small groups is consensus decision-making. It’s the simplest, yet highly-functional, technique involving team discussions until a general agreement is made. It has its loopholes, though, and leaders must be careful to not let these divert the team.

Let’s talk about what consensus decision-making is all about and what it can do for your team and your business. Let’s break down some of the common misconceptions related to this method of group decision-making, including what you can do as a leader to ensure the process remains productive for your team. You’ll see why this is the most common strategy for most leaders, and you’ll likely realize how transformative it can be for your business, too.

The Most Popular Small Group Decision-Making Process

Consensus decision-making is the simplest and most common process for small-group decision-making. It involves the free exchange of ideas, opinions, feedback, and suggestions within the team. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to add to the diversity of perspectives and to help make the range of potential solutions more comprehensive and inclusive. 

It is attractive to small groups because it allows everyone on the team to have a voice in the decision-making process. However, it does have its loopholes, and leaders must make sure that these do not get in the way of the team’s ability to make rational, effective, and comprehensive decisions.

Common Misconceptions on Consensus Decision-Making

Many people think that building a consensus involves collaborative discussions, healthy debates, and lengthy conversations among team members. However, there is more to consensus decision-making than that. Prolonged discussions may have a tendency to drag on resulting in long-drawn-out negotiations and futile attempts at compromises. 

Here are some of the biggest misconceptions people typically have about consensus decision-making:

1. Building a Consensus Is the Goal

Perhaps the greatest misconception about consensus decision-making is that it is the end goal of the entire decision-making process. This is pretty absurd if you really think about it because it’s virtually impossible to arrive at a perfectly unanimous agreement when a group of diverse individuals are involved. 

What happens with this mindset is that the group ends up discussing and arguing interminably, in effect wasting precious time. 

Remember, building a consensus is a process, not the end goal. It is not something you aim for to arrive at a team decision. It is something that is achieved prior to making the final decision as a team. 

The final decision won’t spontaneously emerge from the consensus. Rather, at some point in the discussion, the entire team must acknowledge that they have exhausted all possible perspectives and have proposed all potentially effective solutions to the problem at hand. Everyone must accept that the time has come to actually make the final decision through any of these methods:

• Voting. The team puts the proposed solutions up for a vote, and the one that gets the majority votes wins. 
• Averaging. This technique is typically used when numbers are involved. Simply take the average of all the proposed figures to arrive at a middle ground that the entire team might be most satisfied with. 
• Team of experts. Form a small team of “experts” or people who have more knowledge and experience than the rest when it comes to the issues at hand. This small group can also function as a devil’s advocate to help provoke more meaningful debates on contentious topics. They can be assigned to make the final call for the entire team. 
• The leader has the final say. This technique is great if you fear losing control of your team by involving them in crucial decision-making processes. You get the best of both worlds because you still get to exert your authority while gathering other people’s insights. Keep in mind that, as the leader, you are the main decision-maker, and it’s your job to make the best choices in leading your team toward the shared goals.

2. Accountability Takes a Backseat

Some leaders worry that group decision-making allows team members to take cover behind the seeming protection of a group setup. This is especially worrisome when outcomes aren’t favorable, and some leaders think that they will be solely responsible for it. 

When building a consensus, each team member vows to support whatever the team collectively decides on. Nobody is invisible nor exempt from taking responsibility for the group’s actions. The entire team will take ownership, whether the outcome is good or bad. 

As a leader, this is an essential concept that you must inculcate in all your team members — that taking extreme ownership of their work is the mark of top-tier trustworthiness, responsibility, and leadership.

3. Leaders Will Lose Their Authority

As I previously mentioned, some leaders might have qualms about involving their team members in decision-making processes for fear that their power as a leader might be undermined. Others worry that not firmly making decisions on their own might make their team members think they’re incapable of doing so. 

In reality, involving your team members in the decision-making process is surprisingly beneficial for the organization. Ultimately, it opens up new possibilities that you otherwise won’t get to enjoy if you had embarked on decision-making the traditional way — independently, as the team’s leader. 

Cons of Consensus Decision-Making

Consensus decision-making doesn’t come risk-free. As a leader, you must ensure that the probability of arriving at the best possible solutions for the business is never jeopardized. Maximize this process’ potential because it can help your team formulate unique, relevant, and tailor-fitted strategies for the company.

Here are some potential pitfalls worth taking a closer look at:

1. Groupthink

This happens when some team members feel hesitant to voice out their ideas, especially if they go against the general notions of the group, simply because they do not want to disturb the peace, antagonize anybody, cause conflicts, or draw attention to themselves. 

The danger here lies in the fact that the diversity offered by group decision-making isn’t at all maximized when anyone in the team refuses to speak up. It defeats the purpose of team decisions and will reduce the chances of the group arriving at the most inclusive, rational, and effective solutions for the issues laid out on the table. 

2. Social Loafing

Some team members might feel that their contributions aren’t necessary at all considering there are already a lot of substantial ideas and feedback circulating during team discussions. They’ll choose to take a backseat and let others do all the work for them. However, they’ll gladly take credit along with the group, especially if the outcomes are favorable. 

3. Drawn-Out Process

Needless to say, encouraging each team member to participate in group discussions by sharing opinions and voicing out their dissent will result in a prolonged decision-making process, especially when compared with individual decision-making. 

In this regard, consensus decision-making may not be the best option if you’re in the middle of a crisis or an emergency situation. In these scenarios, individual decision-making will be your best bet.

Pros of Consensus Decision-Making

Here are some reasons why you should seriously think about adopting consensus decision-making as one of the most effective strategies for your team:

• Diversity of perspectives. Team members with different backgrounds, personalities, and viewpoints will provide a wide range of opinions, insights, and feedback.
• Boosted brainstorming. The possibility of generating as many recommendations and feasible options as possible through healthy discussions and debates is good news for the organization. There will be a higher chance of arriving at the best possible solution for the business.  
• Builds buy-in and commitment. Your team members will most likely be more cooperative when the time comes to implement the decisions you made as a group since they were involved in the entire process. 
• Empowers team members. Consensus decision-making promotes inclusive participation, higher engagement, and creativity within the team. This helps boost your team members’ confidence in their own capabilities and empowers them to contribute more to the team.  
• Builds team collaboration. Trust and camaraderie will be established within the group as they go through the process of consensus decision-making. Positive collaboration within the team can later result in increased productivity and higher engagement with new tasks and projects.

Final Thoughts

Consensus decision-making isn’t as easy as it seems. It’s not just about herding your team and sharing the responsibility of decision-making with them. As a leader, you must be intentional with your moves to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks associated with this type of decision-making process. 

We, at Sancus Leadership, can help you devise the best tactics and plans of action for your team to make group decision-making a gainful scheme for your business. When you’re ready to take your leadership strategies up a notch, schedule a free demo with us, and we’ll get started right away!

Can you imagine what it would be like if, at the initial stages of your business, you had to choose a particular decision-making strategy and then stick to it indefinitely? You’d probably go for the most reliable alternative, but in all honesty, do you think it’s practical to enforce a particular tactic each time? This is why it’s crucial to know how to adapt to varying circumstances and effectively discern what strategy is best. 

The best way to make wise decisions in small businesses is to adapt to the varying circumstances you’re in. Situational decision-making exposes you to a wider range of perspectives that offers practical and relevant solutions. Adapting to the situation at hand will help you make better decisions. 

Let’s dive deeper into what situational decision-making is and how it can benefit your leadership career and your business. We’ll look into the common misconceptions about decision-making and how a situational approach can help enhance your strategies in the workplace. You’ll also come across some tips on how to adjust your decision-making processes, depending on the situation you’re in, including the use of AI and decision-making partners. 

The Best Way To Make Decisions as a Small Business Owner

Situational decision-making is the best way to make wise decisions in small businesses. Every situation calls for different perspectives, plans of action, and solutions, and it’s essential that leaders can easily customize their approach based on the circumstances they find themselves in. 

Do you need to make a decision fast?

Do you have time to sit back and contemplate before making a decision?

Do you need the insights of an expert to make a well-informed decision?

Would other people’s perspectives give you a clearer picture of the problem at hand?

These are just some of the questions you must ask yourself so you can come up with the most effective and practical decisions for your business. 

Decision-Making Myths

There are plenty of misconceptions surrounding decision-making. Unfortunately, some of these have been deeply ingrained in even some of the best leaders and they may sometimes cause harm to an organization by restricting leaders’ abilities to make wise decisions for the company. 

Here are some of the most common myths I’ve come across:

1. Decisions have to be made fast. Speed does not equate to effectiveness and efficiency. Rushing the process may force you to make weak choices, eventually leading to regrets.
2. You can always set it aside if you’re not yet ready to decide. Putting off decisions and not adopting a certain sense of urgency can also be detrimental to your business. Opportunities may pass you, the problem may get out of hand, and you might find it more difficult to come up with viable solutions if you wait too long. 
3. You must always solve one problem at a time. Leaders must be good at multitasking because problems rarely present themselves in succession. You always have to be equipped with skills in proficiently handling various issues in the workplace.
4. A leader is expected to be the sole decision-maker. Leaders do not always have to make decisions on their own since this sometimes leads to biased choices. Group decision-making is a great way to consider varying perspectives on issues so you can come up with the most logical and inclusive decisions for the team. 
5. The best decisions are made in the boardroom. This outdated concept that critical meetings must always be held in stiff, formal setups can inhibit creativity and innovativeness. Sometimes decisions are better made through experiential learning where individuals enjoy a more hands-on approach in sharpening their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. 

Benefits of Situational Decision-Making

There shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach to decision-making. You must tailor-fit your strategies based on the current situation, risks involved, possible consequences of your actions, and your team dynamics. 

You can expect to enjoy these benefits with a sound situational decision-making strategy in place:

• Practical, relevant decisions
• Comprehensive, well-informed solutions
• Pragmatic plans of action
• Unbiased perspectives
• Streamlined, effective decision-making process for your team

The Best Strategies for Situational Decision-Making

Different situations call for different strategies. Here are some useful tips to help you navigate through situational decision-making:

1. Group Decision-Making

If you’re not in critical emergency situations where fast decisions can make or break your business, it will be advantageous to involve your team in the decision-making process. Group decision-making may take more time than traditional, individual decision-making, but it opens you up to more perspectives and opportunities you otherwise won’t encounter if you were to set out on this mission by yourself. 

The book Thinking, Fast and Slow is a great read for leaders eager to learn more about how different decision-making techniques can help us work against our natural biases and mental glitches, both of which can wreak havoc on our ability to make sound choices. The learnings here can be applied both in business and personal lives. 

2. Bring In an Expert

You may be the primary mover and shaker of your team, but that doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be well-versed in all aspects relating to the business. As a leader, you must know when to exert your authority and when to hold back in favor of someone who can contribute more to the benefit of your organization. 

In instances where the insights of a more knowledgeable and experienced person are required, don’t hesitate to bring an expert into the picture. People tend to value expert insights and advice more because they feel that these can equip them in making better, well-informed, rational decisions. Outcomes are more positive since experts generally have a deeper understanding of the issues being discussed. 

3. Understand the Value of Randomness

Random choices are often interpreted as irrational and haphazard. They’re usually frowned upon since they imply irresponsibility, carelessness for consequences, and inefficiency. However, randomness in decision-making is actually a concept worth taking a closer look at. When adequately controlled, random decisions can be advantageous to your company. 

Sometimes, appealing to chance may be good for business. Remember when you were young and you pretty much had no concrete plans for the summer break? You’d go practically wherever the wind takes you, and yet, this is probably the phase in life where you had the most fun and learned a lot about life. 

The same goes for business — controlled random decisions are the best options in suitable situations, such as when your aim is to foster diversity and fairness, you’re open to unexpected discoveries, or when your goal is to treat your clients to a certain sense of divergence. 

Grab a copy of Fooled by Randomness to read about how we grasp the concept of luck and coincidences in business and life. It provides a refreshing take on happenstance and random events, and how they can influence pivotal occurrences in life. 

4. Invest in Decision Intelligence

Streamlining the decision-making process is another way to ensure you always make wise decisions for your business. Decision intelligence tools are great for when you have recurring decisions to make or when your business is currently at a crossroads and you need help evaluating your situation and seeing the bigger picture. 

A decision intelligence tool like Cloverpop works great for small businesses. It has easy-to-use properties, and its drag-and-drop feature allows even the most technologically-challenged individuals to navigate through the program.

However, most small business leaders are daunted by decision intelligence tools, especially since most of them entail costly costs of thousands of dollars. If you’re one of those on the fence about diving right into artificial intelligence for decision-making support, why don’t you schedule a demo with us today? We, at Sancus Leadership help optimize your decision-making process, and enable  access this enterprise software through our partnership with Cloverpop!

5. Enhance Your Decision-Making Skills

Investing in decision intelligence may not always be a viable option for small businesses, especially for those with limited resources. Expensive software may cost them an arm and a leg and may force them to misuse their available funds. 

The best way to make wise decisions for your small business is to sharpen your personal decision-making competencies. As a leader, you must invest in your skills, know-how, and experiences so you can always be the best version of yourself for your team. 

Being mentored by a leader you look up to is a great way to start. When I was in the military, a senior officer took me under his wing and taught me the ins and outs of effectively managing a team through even the most critical situations. Thanks to him, I quickly learned the ropes in leading my team through dangerous situations and treacherous landscapes.

At Sancus Leadership, we can help you learn how to make faster and more accurate decisions for your small business. When you’re ready to learn more about new and exciting decision-making strategies that you can optimize for your team, book a call with us, and you’ll discover how we can make a difference in your organization’s journey to success.  

Key Takeaways

What’s unique about small businesses is they’re at the forefront of novelty, transformation, and innovation. Small-business leaders tend to enjoy more flexibility, control, and independence than their counterparts from larger firms. Furthermore, they enjoy more opportunities to establish a favorable image for the business — it’s like starting with a clean slate and you get to design the company’s image to the world.

Situational decision-making is a great strategy to ensure you always make wise choices for your business. By learning to adapt to various situations, your organization will benefit a lot from your practical, comprehensive, and well-thought-out choices.

Making decisions as a team may seem like a foreign concept to many leaders. Still, these days, more and more organizations are taking on this innovative approach to decision-making since it offers versatility, diversity, and comprehensiveness. Moreover, group decision-making allows leaders to share the heavy burden of determining the best plans of action for the company. 

Small group decision-making is about fostering trust, responsibility, and inclusivity. It allows you to gain more relevant perspectives on various issues, hence boosting your chances of arriving at smarter, better decisions. Team decisions are also about sharing accountability for varied outcomes. 

Let’s take a closer look at what group decision-making is all about and what ramifications it may have in your organization. We’ll talk about its pros and cons, the different methods attached to it, and how you can make your team’s decision-making process more efficient and tailor-fitted to your unique needs. Let’s begin!

Is It Better To Make Decisions as a Group?

Leadership is all about authority, power, and influence. It has a lot to do with managing the varied aspects involving your team members, such as goal-setting, planning, drafting strategies, and conflict resolution, as well as leading them toward growth and success. 

Many leaders think all these aspects rest squarely on their shoulders. Some insist on carrying the burden alone, convinced that their efficiency in multitasking and, in particular, their ability to make sound decisions independently, are the benchmarks of being a great leader.  

However, individual decision-making can actually promote biased, self-serving, and irrelevant ideas simply because they are based on one person’s perspectives and preferences. Group decision-making, on the other hand, fosters diversity, impartiality, and inclusivity in the decision-making process. 

Group discussions play a significant role in arriving at the most rational and relevant team decisions. This is where ideas are shared, misconceptions and biases are discussed, and unique angles and arguments are introduced that otherwise won’t even surface without the involvement of your team members in the decision-making process. 

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of group decision-making:

Cons of Group Decision-Making

• Coordination issues. You know how challenging it is to schedule a coffee date with your friends because everyone just seems so busy with more important things? Imagine scheduling a meeting with your team members, all of whom have other pressing matters to attend to and personal lives to nurture. 
• Groupthink. Sometimes, team members may choose to keep quiet even when they see flaws in the group’s discussions simply because they don’t want to rock the boat. Groupthink is more often observed in larger groups where some team members might feel their efforts might just go to waste.
• Social loafing. This happens when some individuals on the team opt to take the backseat during group discussions and allow others to take control completely. They end up being unproductive and demotivated, yet they don’t hesitate to take partial credit for the team’s successes. 

Pros of Group Decision-Making

• Unique, creative ideas. Even the best, seasoned leaders have limitations. They can hardly think of every possible alternative solution for various problems, nor can they consider all available angles to every issue. The insights of others on the team will be instrumental in developing practical and ingenious ideas. 
• Diverse points of view. Suppose your team comprises people from different backgrounds and have various skill sets, experiences, and personalities. In that case, you’ll enjoy debating various issues and have better chances of arriving at highly comprehensive decisions. 
• Comprehensive results. A team may achieve results they otherwise wouldn’t arrive at if they had embarked on the task individually. 
• Promotes buy-in. Your team members will be more invested in the decisions and plans of action formulated because they were involved from the get-go.
• Fosters trust. Your team members will most likely trust you, their leader, more when they see that you have confidence in their abilities and are willing to be open to them and collaborate with them. They’re more likely to trust each other more, too, once they see the positive effects of fostering a culture of trust within the team. 
• Motivates employees. When you include them in the business’ decision-making processes, your employees will feel seen, heard, and valued. They will be motivated to always perform at their best, resulting in boosted productivity, higher engagement, and an increased sense of loyalty to the organization. 

When Is Group Decision-Making Not Advantageous?

Group decision-making isn’t advantageous during instances when urgent choices need to be made, such as in emergencies or crises. Individual decision-making may be the better option, especially if the person involved is highly skilled and experienced in the issue. 

When time is of the essence, deciding as a group may harm the organization. The diversity of opinions and healthy discussions merely offer delays instead of concrete solutions to the pressing problems the team is currently facing.

A great analogy for this is when you’re playing a volleyball game with your friends. At the start of the game, and even during short breaks within the match, you and your team gather to discuss your strategies and tactics to score points and play good defense against your opponents. You debate among yourselves but always end up with concrete plans and goals. Everyone knows exactly what to do and how to do it. 

However, when you’re standing in the middle of the court, and you’re watching the ball flying directly at you, you suddenly realize that the original plan — tipping it over the net to catch the front liners off guard — won’t work in this particular scenario. They seem to anticipate your next move already since all of them have moved forward to try and block any attempts. 

What should you do? Do you stick to the plan even though you know it won’t be favorable for your team? Or do you think fast on your feet and develop a better strategy, given the situation? 

In this scenario, like in many other critical circumstances in the workplace, individual decision-making is more beneficial than making decisions as a group. You can’t call a timeout to consult with your group. You need to come up with a strategy fast to score that point. 

Group Decision-Making Methods 

There are different ways you can make group decision-making work for your team. Depending on the issues and your team dynamics, you can choose a specific strategy that will cater to your team’s needs and expectations.

Here are some strategies to help make your decision-making process more profitable:

1. Cast Your Vote

Voting is probably the most democratic of all group decision-making strategies. This works especially well if you employ the same leadership style on other aspects pertaining to how you manage your team. It’s also perhaps the simplest and fastest way to arrive at a team decision. 

All that needs to be done is get a majority vote, which is more than half of the total number of participating team members. The key is to be committed to the result, regardless if it’s what you believe in or not. 

You can opt to cast votes if you’re at a deadlock and must produce results fast. It’s also great for larger groups where intense debates may seem futile and redundant.

2. Get the Average

Many people prefer this strategy because the team aims for a  middle ground in which practically everyone will be satisfied with the final decision made. Averaging doesn’t work for all types of decision-making, but it does wonders for issues involving figures.

For instance, when setting a budget for quarterly monthly expenses, consider getting the average of all proposed figures. Say team member A proposed $1,000, team member B suggested $1,500, and team member C recommended only $800. Get the average by adding all figures and dividing them by 3. You’ll arrive at a quarterly marketing budget of $1,100 — a reasonable figure considering all the proposals made.  

3. Reach a Consensus

A consensus, or a general agreement, may take longer than the other strategies discussed but it arguably makes the most sense. It may significantly boost the chances of arriving at the best possible decisions for the business. 

Reaching a consensus begins with discussing all pertinent points of each proposed alternative. Discussions and debates are encouraged to be inclusive and democratic with each team member allowed a turn in the spotlight regardless of rank in the organization. Listen actively to each point raised, be quick in resolving conflicts, and never lose track of the goal of reaching a team consensus. 

4. Turn to the Experts

If you’re dealing with a larger team, this strategy can help if the group finds it hard to agree on a final decision. Assign a small group of experts or experienced individuals who have an edge over others when it comes to the issues at hand. Based on the data and feedback they gathered from team discussions, they can formulate logical and relevant alternatives before deciding among themselves what the best option is for the team. 

5. Leader Has the Final Say

If you’re struggling with the idea of handing over some of your leadership power and influence to your team members by involving them in decision-making processes, you can still retain much of your authority as a leader by having the last say in making final decisions. 

Actively listen to all the points raised by your team members and be keen on understanding key points during their discussions and debates. You will utilize all you’ve gathered to make the most rational and inclusive decision for your team. This way, as the leader, you can still exercise your power and influence without completely undermining or ignoring your team members’ insights and perspectives. 

Be mindful that this method may create resentment among your team members, especially if your final decision goes against their preferences since they might feel that you’re unsupportive of their plights or indifferent toward providing their needs. 

How To Facilitate Small Group Decision-Making

Making decisions as a team can be quite tricky, especially if you’re used to making resolutions on your own. Introducing this concept to your team might also seem baffling to them, particularly if they’re so used to merely accepting your decisions. 

To help make the process more seamless for yourself and your entire team, here is a set of team decision-making steps worth considering:

1. Decide on the Method

Before even bringing your team members into the picture, decide which of the methods discussed above will be best for your group. Your decision will be based on your preference as a leader, as well as your team’s profile. 

Ensure you identify and fully understand all possible consequences of your method of choice. Are you comfortable with the idea of handing over some of the decision-making responsibilities to your team members? Do you trust them enough? Are they capable of making the right choices for the business?

2. Set Team Goals

Provide a clear direction for your team by telling them exactly what needs to be accomplished and what their roles are in achieving the goals. Remember, a team without a well-defined purpose may become unfocused and unproductive while a team that has a clear direction will be functional, motivated, and innovative.

Never assume that your team members already know the objectives and goals and what impact their decision will make on the business. You must discuss these in detail to eradicate and address any misconceptions and false assumptions. 

3. Gather Information

Create a safe space for each team member to share their thoughts, ideas, feelings, and suggestions. Make sure everyone feels at ease about actively participating in group discussions. Disregard ranks and positions for the meantime, and allow each person the freedom to express their thoughts without fear of ill judgment from others. 

4. Pin Down the Alternatives

Once you’ve gathered all relevant information on the decision that needs to be made, you’ll be able to come up with quite a few alternatives that could potentially be the perfect solution you’ve been searching for. Again, make sure to promote inclusivity by considering all possible perspectives. 

Rank the alternatives according to the probability of success. Make a list of the pros and cons of each alternative, and imagine all possible consequences if each of these alternatives is enforced. 

5. Make Your Decision

Armed with all the data you’ve gathered as a team, making a well-informed, relevant, and rational decision should now come easy, depending on which group decision-making method you chose. 

Remind your team that whatever the outcome may be, the team must remain committed to making it work since everyone was involved in the whole process. Encourage extreme ownership in your team members and remind them of the value of being accountable for their actions, whether the results are favorable or not. 

6. Utilize Decision-Making Tools

Decision intelligence can help make your decision-making processes in the workplace even more efficient, less time-consuming, and less stressful. Furthermore, if you choose to, you can promote anonymity and encourage even the most bashful of your employees to share their insights and perspectives with the whole team. 

The right decision-making tool can save your organization valuable time and money and allow you to utilize your available resources to boot efficiently. Here are some of the best decision intelligence allies in the industry:

• Cloverpop
• Decisimo
• Diwo
• Provenir
• Tellius

Key Takeaways

Group decision-making can be a great weapon in ensuring your organization stays in touch with employees and clients, and makes decisions based on what’s most relevant, fitting, and effective for your business.
Sancus Leadership can help you get your team in on group decision-making by making the transition as smooth as possible. We promote inclusivity, responsibility, and efficiency as the cornerstones of a functional team, so if you want to know more about how group decisions can help your company, book a call with us, and we’ll set you on the right path toward achieving your goals.