HCLA Session Five Effective Decision Making: The Science & the Art WORKBOOK Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting1 Not a Dress Rehearsal: Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting2 Looking Back: One Ineffective Decision Made Looking Back: One Effective Decision Made Looking Forward: One Decision You Must Make in the Near Future Fully Defining the Problem If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable. Seneca Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting3 A Decision Making Process: If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable. - Seneca What is the issue at hand? What is the root cause of this issue? So.. The problem is.. (state the problem) Why is a decision necessary? Step One Fully define the problem and the decision that must be made. Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting4 Influencers What are we honoring in this decision? Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting5 Influencers: What Influences Our Decision Making? (Both consciously & unconsciously) Perceived Urgency or Importance Values (Espoused vs. Enacted) Desired Results Politics Make decisions from the heart & use your head to make it work out. - Sir Girad Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting6 OTHER? OPTIONS & METHODS Avoidance rarely breeds success -Unknown Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting7 OPTIONS & METHODS: Choosing the right approach for the challenge Delegation Command Consensus Consultation Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting8 Options & Methods: Step by Step Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting9 Defining Potential Solutions & Consequences Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting11 Defining Potential Solutions & Consequences: mapping alternatives & recognizing the ripple effect 1 Brainstorm Possible Solutions (including NOT making a decision) 2 Brainstorm Consequences of this Solution 3 Define Ripple Effects Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting12 Why do people fail to act on decisions? One thing all leaders have in common Followers. Turn around. Is anyone behind you? Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting14 Information Understanding Commitment Aligned Action Model of Aligned Action Before there can be commitment and action, there must be a clear understanding of the implications for each affected individual, team and department Implications (personal /professional) Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting15 Where is the We in the decision? People will often support and act on a decision when it is wired to a higher purpose. We Group B Group A Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting16 RACI CHARTING Moving from decision to action (getting the right people involved) ResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed This tool also works well for defining appropriate level of involvement in decision making; project planning; delegation; strategy design; etc. Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting17 Decision Making Traps: Potholes along the Way What you decide is not nearly so important as how you go about doing so - Michael McNally Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting18 Going to Abilene As you watch this film, answer the following questions: 1.What key points are made about decision making? 2.What did they honor in their decision? What influenced them to go to Abilene? 3.What were the consequences of going to Abilene? 4.When have we, in our organization, ventured to Abilene? 5.What were the consequences when we went there? 6.What held us back from making the right decision? 7.How might we avoid the trip in the future? Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting19 Dont go to Abilene Avoid looking for the scapegoat - assigning blame is irrelevant and destructive By the time the decision creates a problem, we are all to blame and we are all victims We all conspired to bring about the bad decision Break the grip of the agreement conspiracy we all have a choice and are responsible for confronting the elephants in the room Calculate the risk of taking action vs. taking NO ACTION at all Allow dialogue and even confrontation in group settings - own up to your viewpoints Be willing to commit - even if you dont agree Be willing to trust - even if your habit is to do otherwise. No guts No tenure. Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting20 The Decision Making Culture within our organizations... 1.Do we take time to identify the true problem? 2.Do we look for a savior that will somehow make it right? 3.Do we then slay the savior - and turn him/her into satan? 4.Do we resist a decision that has been made by someone else - simply because we dont understand or trust the person? 5.Do we allow others to make decisions - and trust they will do the right thing? 6.Do we agree because we fear for our jobs - even if we know its not the right thing for the success of the company? Does our culture promote or hinder good decision making? Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting21 The Decision Making Culture within our organizations... 6.Do we get bogged down in over-participation? Why? 7.Are we willing to compromise? 8.Are people learning to think and make their own decisions? 9.Do people take risks - or wait until told what to do? 10.Do peoples suggestions help resolve problems or merely identify and point a finger at the problem? 11.Are we making this all harder than it has to be? Does our culture promote or hinder good decision making? Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting22 Putting it all Together Decision Making Model Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting23 A Decision Making Process Fully define the problem - and the decision that must be made. Choose the best decision-making option or method Consider potential solutions and consequences & ripple effect for each Move to actionMake the decisionMeasure & reflect Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting24 A Decision Making Process: What is the issue at hand? What is the root cause of this issue? So the problem is (state the problem) Why is a decision necessary? What values must we honor in this decision-making process? What other influences will likely affect our decision making process? What decision must ultimately be made? If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable. - Seneca STEP ONE! Fully define the problem - and the decision that must be made. Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting25 Consultative? A Decision Making Process STEP TWO! Choose the best decision-making option or method Command? Consensus? Delegate? Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting26 A Decision Making Process Using whichever option or method you chose from the previous page Brainstorm possible solutions Define consequences for each solution Define ripple effect for each consequence Cross check with an outside observer for reality check STEP THREE: Consider potential solutions and consequences & ripple effect for each Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting27 A Decision Making Process Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting28 Avoidance rarely breeds success - Unknown STEP FOUR! Make Decision Make the decision Decide on success criteria (measures of success) A Decision Making Process Use RACI chart to define level of involvement Define communication plan Communicate decision - along with success criteria Support affected parties in defining the specific implications of the decision - so that they can then commit to action Define what resources are needed Continue dialogue with all affected parties to ensure commitment, action - and monitoring of learning's When you come to a fork in the road, take it - Yogi Berra STEPS FIVE! Move to Action Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting29 A Decision Making Process Measure frequently If the success criteria is missed, why? Continue dialogue about what is working and what isnt Capture what you are learning and talk about it widely Take time to discuss what will we do differently next time? Be willing to go back and reexamine decision - but only after enough time passes to determine if the decision is a good one STEP SIX! Measure & Reflect Fisher Consulting Group, LLC & Moffet Consulting30 31login = hceacademy pw = hce2013 Caroline Fisher Chris Moffet HCE Academy: Lets Stay Connected! Fisher Consulting Group and Moffet Consulting 2014