Decision Making StylesDecision Making Styles

StylesStyles

Refers to patterns we use when faced with Refers to patterns we use when faced with presented: "decide now decisionspresented: "decide now decisions

Many different ways to classify stylesMany different ways to classify styles

Most describe styles using some elements Most describe styles using some elements of logic and intuitionof logic and intuition

Impulsive DeciderImpulsive Decider

One who takes the first alternative that is; One who takes the first alternative that is; think later. Don't look before you leap." think later. Don't look before you leap."

Can be panic, confusion or anxietyCan be panic, confusion or anxiety

Can be a decision of little importanceCan be a decision of little importance

Fatalistic DeciderFatalistic Decider

One who leaves the resolution of the One who leaves the resolution of the decision up to the environment or fate: decision up to the environment or fate: "Whatever will be will be." "Whatever will be will be."

‘‘I don’t mind what I do - whatever turns I don’t mind what I do - whatever turns up.’ up.’

Fatalists leave everything to chance. Fatalists leave everything to chance.

Compliant DeciderCompliant Decider

One who goes along with someone else's One who goes along with someone else's plan rather than making an independent plan rather than making an independent decisiondecision

"If it's OK with you, it's OK with me." "If it's OK with you, it's OK with me." "Anything you say." "Anything you say."

Often trying to please othersOften trying to please others

Procrastination DeciderProcrastination Decider One who delays thought and action on a One who delays thought and action on a problem: "I'll think about it later." problem: "I'll think about it later."

One who avoids a decision or makes up One who avoids a decision or makes up an answer to end the discussion.an answer to end the discussion.

Agonizing DeciderAgonizing Decider

One who spends much time and thought One who spends much time and thought in gathering data and analyzing in gathering data and analyzing alternatives only to get lost amidst the data alternatives only to get lost amidst the data gatheredgathered

"I can't make up my mind. I don't know "I can't make up my mind. I don't know what to do." what to do."

This person wants to make the ‘right’ This person wants to make the ‘right’ decision. decision.

Intuitive DeciderIntuitive Decider

One who decides based on what is felt, One who decides based on what is felt, but cannot be verbalized: "It feels right." but cannot be verbalized: "It feels right."

Play-it-Safe DeciderPlay-it-Safe Decider

One who almost always picks the One who almost always picks the alternative with perceived lowest level of alternative with perceived lowest level of risk.risk.

" I like anthropology, but I can get a job in " I like anthropology, but I can get a job in accounting." accounting."

PlannerPlanner

One whose strategy is based on a rational One whose strategy is based on a rational approach with some balance between the approach with some balance between the cognitive and emotionalcognitive and emotional

These are organized decision makers who These are organized decision makers who consider alternatives and follow a strategy.consider alternatives and follow a strategy.

Style QuizStyle Quiz

I enjoy jobs that are:I enjoy jobs that are:A.A. Technical & well definedTechnical & well defined

B.B. Have considerable varietyHave considerable variety

C.C. Allow independent actionAllow independent action

D.D. Involve peopleInvolve people

I communicate best with others:I communicate best with others:A.A. In a direct, one to one basisIn a direct, one to one basis

B.B. In writingIn writing

C.C. By having a group discussionBy having a group discussion

D.D. In a formal meeting In a formal meeting

When I am not sure of what to do I:When I am not sure of what to do I:A.A. Rely on intuitionRely on intuition

B.B. Search for factsSearch for facts

C.C. Look for a compromiseLook for a compromise

D.D. Wait before making a decisionWait before making a decision

When I am under stress I:When I am under stress I:A.A. Become anxiousBecome anxious

B.B. Concentrate on the problemConcentrate on the problem

C.C. Become frustratedBecome frustrated

D.D. Am forgetfulAm forgetful

I dislike:I dislike:A.A. Losing controlLosing control

B.B. Boring workBoring work

C.C. Following rulesFollowing rules

D.D. Being rejectedBeing rejected

Whenever possible I avoid:Whenever possible I avoid:A.A. Long debatesLong debates

B.B. Incomplete workIncomplete work

C.C. Using numbers or formulasUsing numbers or formulas

D.D. Conflict with others Conflict with others

When time is important I:When time is important I:A.A. Decide and act quicklyDecide and act quickly

B.B. Follow plans and prioritiesFollow plans and priorities

C.C. Refuse to be pressuredRefuse to be pressured

D.D. Seek guidance or supportSeek guidance or support

In social settings I generally:In social settings I generally:A.A. Speak with othersSpeak with others

B.B. Think about what is being saidThink about what is being said

C.C. Observe what is going onObserve what is going on

D.D. Listen to the conversation Listen to the conversation

Scores range among stylesScores range among styles

Highest score is preferred styleHighest score is preferred style

Large difference among scores means a Large difference among scores means a stronger preferencestronger preference

Groupings of scores means more flexibility Groupings of scores means more flexibility in making decisionin making decision

Add up the lettersAdd up the letters– More A’s = DirectiveMore A’s = Directive– More B’s = AnalyticMore B’s = Analytic– More C’s = ConceptualMore C’s = Conceptual– More D’s = Behavioral More D’s = Behavioral

AnalyticAnalytic ConceptualConceptual

BehavioralBehavioralDirectiveDirective

Rational IntuitiveWay of Thinking

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Low

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Decision-Making StylesDecision-Making Styles

Ambiguity – the condition of being doubtful Ambiguity – the condition of being doubtful or uncertainor uncertain

Rational – based on reasonRational – based on reason

AnalyticalAnalytical

High tolerance for ambiguityHigh tolerance for ambiguityGather as many facts as possible Gather as many facts as possible Develop complex solutionsDevelop complex solutionsEnjoys challenging situationsEnjoys challenging situations

ConceptualConceptual

High tolerance for ambiguityHigh tolerance for ambiguity

Consider broad range of information Consider broad range of information

Intuitive and use interpersonal Intuitive and use interpersonal considerations considerations

Tend toward participative decision makingTend toward participative decision making

BehavioralBehavioral

Low tolerance for ambiguityLow tolerance for ambiguity

Focus on peopleFocus on people

Low data input into decisionsLow data input into decisions

Enjoy cognitive simplicityEnjoy cognitive simplicity

Deep concern for peopleDeep concern for people

DirectiveDirective

Low tolerance for ambiguityLow tolerance for ambiguitySystematicSystematicTechnical in nature and based on factsTechnical in nature and based on factsTend to be autocraticTend to be autocraticUse little information, consider few Use little information, consider few alternatives, and tend toward controlalternatives, and tend toward controlSimple, clear-cut decisionsSimple, clear-cut decisionsEfficient and rely on rulesEfficient and rely on rules

Why do we care?Why do we care?

Affects amount of information needed for Affects amount of information needed for decisiondecision

Affects othersAffects others

Help you identify how you approach Help you identify how you approach decisions and whether you need to work decisions and whether you need to work on a new styleon a new style

How could we become more flexible in How could we become more flexible in using other styles?using other styles?

ReferencesReferences

Decision Making StylesDecision Making Styles

Dinklage, as referenced by Dinklage, as referenced by www.byu.edu/ccc/Career_Planning/assistwww.byu.edu/ccc/Career_Planning/assistance/decision.htm ance/decision.htm

My Decision – helpMy Decision – help

http://learning.staffs.ac.uk/careers/http://learning.staffs.ac.uk/careers/careersweb/cplanning/careersweb/cplanning/mydecisionhelp.html mydecisionhelp.html

Quizzes for FunQuizzes for Fun

Georgia Department of EducationGeorgia Department of Education

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