“Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens…” - Wilfred A. Peterson
We all have decision-making biases that significantly affect how we lead.
These preferences often manifest themselves in irritation when someone on our team doesn’t make choices in a way that aligns with our own approach.
In advance of engaging in group decision-making processes, it’s wise to first take a step back and analyze your own inclinations in this domain.
As the saying goes, “Know thyself.”
There’s a large number of personality assessment tools floating around out there. You’ve likely been exposed to them before: Meyers-Briggs, True Colors, MMPI, 16 PF, etc.
The methodology this assessment is built around is by David Merrill & Roger Reid and is focused on your “Social Style”.
There is significant power and clarity in its simplicity.
As this is an assessment just for you, be honest with your answers; don't answer what you think you should.
There is no hierarchy to the potential outcomes as they all are beneficial when applied in specific contexts.
The point is to recognize how your style may affect your interactions with others and to calibrate yourself accordingly.
Peace-makers
“We’re all on the same team and should work together.”
Traits:
Amiables are excellent at creating consensus through their empathetic and collaborative approach toward group decision-making.
However, Amiables must also be cautious to ensure they make their own opinions known regarding a particular decision and not just defer to the will of the group if they don't genuinely agree.
It’s essential to emphasize none of the Social Styles is superior to any other. However, by seeing where we fit, it becomes apparent how our manner may create conflict when trying to make decisions in a group process with people with other preferences.
Also, in creating group decision-making processes, we need to accommodate for all Social Styles to have a genuinely collaborative session and therefore the best outcomes.
Cautious thinkers
“Let’s look at the documentation supporting this.”
Analytics are great at thinking through all of the different facets of a particular decision and backing up their opinions with data.
However, they can also succumb to analysis paralysis and be too slow to move to action. Analytics must also be careful to not dismiss the points of view of others that are based more on intuition and not data.
Influencers
“Let me tell you about my experience…”
Expressives are uniquely talented at getting across a point of view through the use of personal anecdotes.
However, they need to be cautious to not take up too much airtime in group discussions and ensure that they think beyond their own experience.
Doers
“I want it done now” Traits:
Drivers are action-oriented decision-makers that excel at getting things done.
However, their predilection toward action can cause Drivers to steamroll over others in group decision-making. They need to allow space and time for others to work through their own processes before moving to solutions or action.
(choose one option below)