Decision Making, Functions, and How to Improve It

Decision making is an important skill that influences various aspects of our lives.

Starting from everyday decisions such as what we eat, to big decisions that determine the direction of a career or business.

This ability is not only needed in the work environment, but also in personal and social contexts.

Making good decisions means considering various factors, analyzing information, and choosing the best option from a variety of alternatives.

In this article, let's discuss more about what decision making is, its benefits, examples, and how to improve this ability!

What is Decision Making?

Decision making is the process of making a decision between several options or actions.

In the workplace, decision making is used in a variety of situations. Starting from the simple, such as determining a meeting schedule, to the complex, such as deciding on a business strategy or recruiting new employees.

Quoting Harvard University, decision making abilities in the workplace can be seen in various forms, such as:

• Facilitate discussions: You are able to lead meetings to discuss new ideas.
• Screening job candidates: You can choose the right person for the job.
• Receive feedback: You listen to suggestions and comments.
• Analyzing market trends: You are able to understand changes in the market and adjust business strategies.
• Communicate with outsiders: You can learn from people outside the company to solve problems.
• Negotiate: You can work together with colleagues with differing opinions to find solutions.
• Fix technical issues: You can detect and fix errors in data reporting.

Example of Decision Making

Decision making is one of the main skills that can determine success in the workplace.

There are many aspects related to this skill, from problem-solving abilities to time management. The following are some examples of decision making, quoted from Indeed:

Problem solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify problems and find solutions. In making decisions, you must be able to see the situation from various points of view and remain calm.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to inspire others. A good leader can make other people feel comfortable and motivated to achieve common goals.

Reasoning

Reasoning is the ability to think logically and consider various options before making a decision.

This ability helps you choose the most reasonable action based on the information available.

Intuition

Intuition is the ability to trust your instincts. Instinct usually comes from previous experience.

If your intuition is good, you can trust it when making decisions, especially when the information you have is incomplete.

Teamwork

Cooperation means working with others to achieve a common goal.

By working together, you can exchange ideas and gain different perspectives to help make better decisions.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize your own emotions as well as the emotions of others.

With emotional intelligence, you can control your emotions and communicate well.

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to find new ideas. With creativity, you can think of unconventional solutions and come up with more innovative decisions.

Time Management

Time management is the ability to manage time well, especially when decisions need to be made quickly.

These skills help you keep a schedule and meet important deadlines.

Organization

Organization is the ability to organize and manage tasks.

With organizational skills, you can stay focused and ensure all important tasks are completed on time.

Benefits of Training Decision Making Skills

According to CommerceMates, here are some of the benefits of the decision making process:

• If many people are involved in decision making, of course more information will be obtained.
• Shared decision making encourages more people to participate.
• When many people are involved, there are more alternatives or options to consider.
• Decisions made together are usually easier to accept because they involve the participation of many people.
• Improve the quality of decisions.
• Shared decision making helps strengthen the organization because it encourages teamwork.

How to Improve Decision Making Skills

Decision making is an ability that can be improved through practice over time.

You don't need to be in a stressful work environment to learn to make better decisions.

Even simple everyday decisions, such as choosing what to eat for dinner, can be effective practice for honing this skill.

According to Harvard University, there are several ways that can help you improve your decision making skills:

1. Start slowly

First of all, you need to realize that decision making is a learning process.

Just like learning to ride a bicycle, you need to go slowly and follow the correct steps.

To practice this ability, you don't need to make big decisions. Everyday decisions like choosing a dinner menu or weekend plans can be great practice.

2. Consider the facts

In the decision-making process, we often get caught up in assumptions and prejudices. However, to make effective decisions, you have to focus on the facts.

So, before making a decision, take the time to research and gather all the relevant information.

3. Ask for help

Don't feel that you have to make decisions alone. Sometimes, asking other people's opinions can open our minds to different points of view.

4. Reflection

Reflection is an important part of improving decision making skills. After making a decision, take time to evaluate the results.

Decision making is an important skill that influences many aspects of life, especially in the work context.

This ability is not just about choosing between several options, but also about understanding information, considering various factors, and choosing the most appropriate course of action.

Effective decision making requires skills such as problem solving, leadership, reasoning, and teamwork.

By mastering these skills, you can improve the quality of your decisions and make a positive contribution to your team or organization.

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