The 4 ways (not) to make your decisions !

When it comes to deciding, everyone has their own technique !

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the decision making and the profile of the decision maker, the following techniques will be used.

Spoiler: not all are equal!

1. Delegation: The decision-maker delegates decision-making power. There is then no decision-making by the initial decision-maker. The delegation of decision making is regrettable when it is a matter of avoiding responsibilities but can be encouraged when it is the conclusion of a rational choice.
2. Chance, belief, superstition: Far from rationally examining the situation, the decision-maker will focus on a sign or a hope to make the decision. This technique could be used if several options that are the outcome of a rational examination are of equal value...
3. Intuition: The decision-maker will make his decision by following his intuition, his "little inner voice". Intuition is potentially dangerous since it is an expression of decisional transposition. It amounts to applying, unconsciously, a reasoning applied in the past to a new situation.
   Intuition is based on lived experience. It will therefore be a good adviser in situations that have already been experienced or that are easy. For decisions that relate to more complicated or new situations, the decision-maker who uses his intuition runs the risk of erroneously transposing reasoning applied in the past to a different situation, without making the necessary nuances and adaptations.
   Intuition will therefore be useful in the context of easy or repeated decisions. It can be of some help when the situation requires an urgent decision that does not allow for a more in-depth examination.
   For complicated or complex situations, we will take care to use this intuition only for what it is: a first ascertainment to be challenged and confirmed by an in-depth examination.
4. In-depth examination of the situation: The decision-maker makes an in-depth assessment of the situation. This technique entails defining the objective, surrounding yourself with useful information and evaluating the options available. The decision taken can then be considered and motivated.

There is little doubt that the latter technique is the most likely to increase the likelihood that the intended effect of the decision will occur. (And to avoid cognitive biases: we will come back to this).

In the next posts, you will discover the parameters to take into account to ensure a good decision!

And you, how do you make your decisions? What obstacles do you see? Tell us in the comments!