HURDLES
FACED DURING EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING
Effective decision making is an
art which obviously cannot be earned overnight, hence, needs to be nurtured in
time. However, even an efficient leader cannot remain unaware to certain
hurdles which show his decision making capacity. An effective decision has
positive effects on all the departments, and equal damage is caused by an
ineffective decision. Hence, he has to remain vigilant about the repercussions
caused by his decisions.
As a professional as well as an
individual, we face many situations in our professional as well as personal
lives, wherein it is quite tough to take a decision. A careful study of various
hurdles faced will lead you to take effective and better decisions in future.
Following are typical barriers
faced by an administrator while developing strategies.
1.
Level of Decision Making Not Clear
Sometimes, there is ambiguity in
the level of power an administrator holds, whether he holds the right to make
modifications in the existing system. This often leads into confusion in the
minds of the administrator, especially at a middle level.
2.
Less Know-how
One of the most common barriers
in decision making is not knowing how to make a decision in the first place. It
may seem strange, but many people do not know how specifically they actually
make decisions, or they use different decision making strategies in different
circumstances without realizing it.
3. Taking Help
Life numbing barriers in decision
making is the idea of allowing someone else to make the
decision for you. This occurs in a more subtle form when people wait for things
to happen as opposed to making them happen. It allows people not to have to
take responsibility for themselves and for what occurs.
4.
Faulty models
Some of the available decision
making models are themselves decision making barriers. The models may seem rational
and sensible but they may not necessarily reflect how humans actually make decisions. With the result that after a few poor decisions, the
decision-maker loses confidence and makes decisions reluctantly, if at all.
5.
Lack of Time
Quick decisions often lead to terrible
effects. However, institutions are subject to emergencies and often, as a
decision making authority, you need to take a call in the limited time
available. This can pose as a most difficult hurdle to most leaders, however an
efficient leader has to go through these testing times.
6.
Lack of reliable data
Lack of reliable data can be a
major hindrance in making apt decisions. Unclear and incomplete data often
makes it difficult for them to make appropriate decision, which may not be best
suited for any organization.
7.
Risk-Taking Ability
Any decision attracts a fair deal
of risk of resulting into negative outcome. However, it is necessary to take
calculated risks for an effective decision. Also, at the same time, casual
attitude and completely ignoring risks will not result into taking appropriate decisions.
8.
Too Many Options
A leader can be in a problem if
there are too many options to an effective solution. Finding the appropriate
one can be very difficult, especially if a particular decision favors a
department over the other.
9.
Inadequate Support
A leader, however good he may be,
cannot work without an adequate support level from his subordinates. Lack of
adequate support either from top level or grass root level employees may result
into a great jeopardy for the leader.
10.
Lack of Resources
An administrator may find it
difficult to implement his decisions due to lack of resources- time, staff, and
equipment. In these cases, he should look out for alternative approaches which
fit in the available resources. However, appropriate steps must be taken in
case he feels that lack of resources may stop the growth of the organization.
11.
Inability to Change
Every organization has its own
unique culture which describes its working policies. However, some policies are
not conducive for leaders who are looking out for a change. Rigid mentality of
top level management and the subordinates are the biggest hurdle, wherein a leader
cannot make positive amendments even if he wishes to do so.
HOW TO OVERCOME THESE HURDLES
Problems
often compel administrators to act in rush before the facts are known and often
before the actual primary problem is recognized or understood. A knowledge of
these barriers will assist you in your attempts to analyses problem situations
and make reasoned decisions.
In
case you are a member or leader of any decision making group, you would like to
overcome these hurdles. Here are several strategies to overcome these barriers:
·
Leaders can encourage each member to be a
critical elevator or various proposals.
·
When individuals are given a problem to solve,
leaders can refrain from starting their own position and instead encourage open
enquiry and impartial searching of a wide range of alternatives.
·
The organization can give the same problem to
two different independent groups and compare the resulting solutions.
·
Before they reaches a final decision, members
can be required to take a respite at intervals and seek advice from other wings
of the organization before returning to make a decision.
·
Outside experts can be invited to group
meetings and encouraged to challenge the views of group members.
·
At every meeting, one member could be appointed
as a devil's advocate to challenge the testimony of those advocating the
majority position.
·
When considering the feasibility and
effectiveness of various alternatives, divide the employees into two sections
for independent discussions and compare results.
·
After deciding on a preliminary consensus on
the first choice for a course of action, schedule a second meeting during which
members of the group express their remaining doubts and rethink the entire
issue prior to finalizing the decision and initiating action.
