The document discusses decision making for leaders. It defines decision making as consciously choosing between possible actions to achieve objectives. As a leader, applying the right decision making techniques is important to support organizational goals. The document outlines different types of decisions, approaches to decision making, group decision making structures, common decision making mistakes, and a six-step decision making process of defining the issue, listing options, gathering information, considering options, making a decision, and being open to change.

1. Decision Making
for Leaders
Wong Yew Yip
yewyip@gmail.com

2. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
Purpose
As a Leader, to be able to
make high quality decisions
on a daily basis by applying
the right decision making
techniques and process to
support the goals of the
organization

3. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
What is Decision Making?
 Decision Making is a choice
or judgement of what you
need to do in order to
achieve an objective
 Decision Making is
consciously choosing one
action from several possible
actions

4. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
Why Decision Making?
 But when situations are more complicated
and have longer term impacts, decisions get
more difficult to make. People may feel:
➢ overwhelmed
➢ stressed or anxious
➢ wound up
➢ pressured
➢ confused
➢ tired
 We make hundreds of decisions every day, most of
which are straightforward and happen without us
thinking too much about them

5. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
Why even bother to make decisions?
 The answer is that the
different alternatives and
choices you make will lead to
different consequences
 Your decisions will impact your
organization’s objectives
 Thus, you need to take care in
making those decisions

6. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
Types of Decision Making
Programmed Decisions
 Routine, almost
automatic process
 Have made decision
many times before
 There are rules or
guidelines to follow
 Example: Deciding to
reorder office supplies
Non-Programmed Decisions
 Unusual situations that
have not been addressed
 No rules to follow since
the decision is new
 Decisions are made
based on information,
intuition, and judgment
 Example: Invest in a new
technology?

7. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
2 Approaches to Decision Making
Analytical Decision
The problem solver or
team of problem
solvers, employ a
systematic process
to analyse a problem
and determine the
best solution
Intuitive Decision
A decision-making
process that relies on
intuition, judgement
and experience to
recognize key
elements of a
particular problem to
arrive at an
appropriate decision

8. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
Group Decision Making Structures
Group
Decision
Making
Structures
Majority
Rule
Hierarchy
Consensus
Unanimity
No
Structure
2
5
1
3
4

9. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
 Voting
 Splits the group into
“winners” and “losers”
 Fosters competition and
factions
 Losers often angry and no
commitment to the decision
 Encourages attacks
against opponents
 Usually fast
Majority Rule
Majority Rule

10. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
 Chain of command
 Clear responsibility and
accountability
 Bossism
 Not representative
 Many views not heard
 Underlings don’t
understand or accept
decision
 Little commitment
 Fast - good for crisis
Hierarchy
Hierarchy

11. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
 Explore solutions until best
one emerges
 Mutual search for solution
 Decision all can accept
 Brings conflict into open
 Minority opinions considered
 Encourage cooperation
 1 person can block decision
 Promotes commitment
 Takes time, may be frustrating
Consensus
Consensus

12. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
Everyone completely
agrees
Good when it occurs
Full commitment
Almost impossible to
achieve with more than
two people
If achieved, usually
takes a very long time,
if achieved
Unanimity
 Unanimity

13. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
 No rules
 No regulations
 No system
 No penalties
 Often chaotic
 “We trust each other”
 Dominated by
aggressive few
 Dissatisfaction grows
No Structure
No Structure

14. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
10 Decision Making Mistakes
Decision
Making
Mistakes
10
7
2
5
1
6
9
8
3
4
Procrastinate
Believe it's
"Make or
Break"
Not
Systematic
Do not
Consider
Different
Perspectives
Do not involve
Stakeholders
Psychological
Bias
Being
Overconfident
Do not
consider
Consequences
Do not
Communicate
Effectively
Do not correct
a wrong
decision

15. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
1
2
3
4
5
6
Define
issue
List
options
Gather
info
Consider
options
Make
decision
Open to
change
6 STEPS TO MAKE GREAT DECISIONS

16. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
Use 5W1H:
 What is the problem/issue?
 Where is the problem/issue?
 Why is the decision necessary?
 How the decision change things
for the better?
 Who will it affect?
 When must decision be made?
Define the Problem/Issue
1

17. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
List your Options
2
 List all possible options
 The more options you
consider, the more
likely you will be to not
overlook the best
solution

18. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
Gather Information about your Options
3
 You will make better
decisions if you have
investigated
thoroughly
 You will also have
more peace of mind
as you carry out your
decision

19. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
Consider your Options
4
 Write down the pros and cons for
each option and see how they
stack up against each other
 Try to determine both best-case
and worst-case scenarios for
each option
 See if there is some way to
combine several promising
solutions into one potent solution

20. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
Make a Decision
5
 When you are
convinced that
you have found
the best solution,
commit to it

21. Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 20 August 2021
6-Step Decision Making Process
Be open to change
6
 Be open to change if
circumstances
change
 Once you make a
decision and begin to
act on it, a better
option may open up

22. Thank You
Contact :
yewyip@gmail.com
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