Every day at work, of course you are faced with various decisions, ranging from simple things such as choosing task priorities to big decisions that affect the running of the business.

 

In the professional world, every decision you make can affect productivity, efficiency, and even the success of a project or company.

 

That is why good decision making skills are an important asset for anyone, regardless of the field or position they are in.

 

Of course, the ability to make the right decisions does not only depend on intuition, but also on mature analysis, understanding of data, and the ability to predict the consequences of each choice.

 

What Does it Mean by Decision Making Skills?

 

Decision making skill is the ability to choose the best action from several existing options. In the world of work, this skill is very important for solving problems, making decisions quickly, and producing effective solutions. This ability involves making decisions quickly and producing effective solutions.

 

This ability involves critical thinking skills, analysis, and evaluating the risks and benefits of each option. With good decision making skills, you can assess situations objectively, avoid impulsive decisions, and use logic to achieve the best results. These skills are important for all positions, whether as an ordinary employee, manager or team leader.

 

What are the Types of Decision Making Skills?

 

Everyone has different decision-making abilities.

Here are some skills that can help you make better decisions at work:

 

Problem Solving

 

Problem solving is the ability to find solutions to complex problems. This starts with understanding the core of the problem, looking for various solutions, then choosing the most effective one. These skills help you face challenges with more confidence.

 

Logical Reasoning

 

Before making a decision, it is important to consider all the advantages and disadvantages. This is what is called logical reasoning. By using existing data and facts, you can make wiser decisions and reduce the risk of mistakes.

 

Collaborative Team

 

In the world of work, decisions often involve teams. A good leader will listen to ideas and input from team members before making a decision. Open discussions can produce decisions that are more mature and accepted by all parties.

 

Emotional Intelligence

 

Emotional intelligence helps you understand your own and other people's emotions when making decisions. This is important for managing stress, avoiding emotional decisions, and ensuring the choices made are truly logical and fair.

 

Time Management

 

Time management is the ability to manage time well to make timely decisions. In the workplace, you certainly have to make quick decisions without sacrificing quality. With good time management, you can prioritize important things and stay productive. 

 

What is the Decision Making Process?

 

The decision making process usually occurs in several steps:

 

Identify Problems or Opportunities

 

•  Start by identifying the problem that needs to be solved or the question that needs to be answered.

• Make sure the problem at hand is clear, specific, and not too broad.

• If there are specific goals, make them measurable and have a time limit.

 

Collect Information

 

• Collect all necessary data, including evaluating past successes and failures.

• Look for additional outside information, such as market research or advice from consultants.

• Avoid collecting too much data because it can make the decision process more complicated.

 

Determine Alternatives

 

• From the information you have obtained, make a list of all the solutions or actions that can be taken.

• Consider different ways to achieve the goal

 

For example, to increase social media engagement, alternatives could be paid advertising, improving organic strategies, or a combination of both.

 

Evaluate Alternatives

 

• Review the advantages and disadvantages of each available alternative.

• Study the experiences of other organizations and look at your own company's history of success or failure.

• Consider the risks and benefits of each option, as well as potential obstacles that may arise.

 

Choose the Best Alternative

 

• After evaluating all the options, take the most suitable decision

• Make sure the decision is made based on sufficient information and careful consideration.

 

Implement Decisions

 

• Create a clear action plan to carry out this decision.

• Assign specific tasks to team members to ensure decisions are implemented well.

  

Reviewing Decisions

 

• After a certain time (determined in the initial step), evaluate the results of the decision.

• Check to see if the issue is resolved, questions answered, or goals achieved

• If successful, note important things as lessons for future decisions. If it doesn't work, learn from the mistake and improve the process for the future.

 

What are the Jobs that Require Decision Making Skills?

There are many professions that require decision making skills, because they involve complex problems, high risks and great responsibility.

Here are some of the professions:

 

• Chemist

 

Chemists work with various chemical substances to create or improve the quality of a product. They have to make decisions such as:

 

- What substances are safe and effective to use?

- How do you mix ingredients to produce the desired reaction?

- Does the product made meet safety standards?

 

Mistakes in decision making can have fatal consequences, such as dangerous chemical reactions or failed products.

Therefore, a chemist must have logical, analytical thinking, and be able to consider many factors before making a decision.

 

• Surgeon

 

As a surgeon, you have to make split-second decisions that can determine a patient's life or death.

Here are some things they need to decide:

 

- Should the operation be done immediately or can it be postponed?

- What surgical method is most appropriate for the patient's condition?

- What if complications occur in the middle of the operation?

 

The wrong decision can impact a person's life. Therefore, surgeons must be able to remain calm under pressure, think quickly, and dare to make the right decisions at critical times.

 

• Criminal Psychologist

 

With decision making skills, a criminal psychologist can assist the police in investigating crimes and understanding the perpetrator's mindset.

For example, to determine things like:

 

- Does the suspect show signs of lying?

- What is the motive behind a crime?

- What is the best way to help trauma victims?

 

Their decisions can influence the course of investigations, determine whether someone is guilty or not, and help rehabilitate perpetrators so they do not repeat their crimes.

 

• Doctor

 

Every day, doctors have to make important decisions regarding patient health.

Some of them are:

 

- Does the patient need to be hospitalized or is outpatient treatment sufficient?

- Which drug is the safest and most effective to give?

- Does the patient's condition require emergency treatment?

Wrong decisions can worsen a patient's condition or even threaten their life.

 

• CEO/Director

 

As the highest leader in a company, a chief executive officer or director is responsible for the strategic direction of the business.

Their decisions not only have an impact on company finances, but also on work culture, innovation, and increasing customer satisfaction.

Some things that need to be decided by the CEO include:

 

- Choose whether the company will expand into new markets or remain focused on existing markets.

- Determining whether the company should make a large investment in new technology or not.

- Make decisions during a crisis, for example when facing a decline in sales or intense competition.

 

• Project Manager

 

A project manager is tasked with ensuring that the project runs according to the specified schedule, budget and targets.

They must make quick decisions to resolve problems that arise during the project.

For example in terms of:

 

- Selecting the team members best suited to work on a particular part of the project.

- Adjust the project schedule if there are unexpected obstacles.

- Decide whether to increase the budget if there are obstacles in project implementation.

 

• HR Manager

 

The HR manager is responsible for managing human resources in the company.

They must make decisions regarding hiring, employee policies, and workforce well-being.

For example, here are things that HR managers need to consider using decision making skills:

 

- Deciding which candidate is best suited to fill a particular position in the company.

- Determine training strategies to improve employee skills.

- Manage conflicts between employees by choosing the most fair and effective solution.

 

• Financial Analyst

 

A financial analyst is tasked with analyzing financial data to help companies make the right business decisions.

They use financial reports, market trends, and economic indicators to provide investment recommendations and financial strategies.

For example in terms of:

 

- Determining whether the company should invest in certain shares or not.

- Analyze financial statements to assess whether the company needs to make cost cuts.

- Assist the CEO or Director in making decisions regarding business expansion based on financial projections.

 

What are the Tips for Developing Decision Making Skills?

 

When you have responsibilities, there will be many decisions to make.

It's true that there is no way that always works for all situations, but there are several tips that you can apply to make the process easier.

Here are some ways to develop decision-making abilities:

 

• Don't Rush

 

Decisions taken in haste often make you stressed and the results are less than optimal. Research from Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh shows that people who are given a little longer to make decisions are much more accurate. So, before rushing into action, take some time to understand the situation.

 

• Avoid too Many Considerations

 

Seeking information before making a decision is important. However, too much information can actually make you confused. With so much information available on the internet, people often hesitate in making decisions because they are afraid they will miss something important. In fact, there comes a time when you have to stop looking for information and start acting. To overcome this, set a time limit, limit your research to only what is relevant, and break big decisions into smaller, more manageable steps.

 

• Be Confident in your Decisions, but Remain Flexible

 

Once you make a decision, live with it wholeheartedly. Research shows that when you feel in control of the decisions you make, your self-confidence and motivation increase. On the other hand, doubt can make your efforts less than optimal. However, don't be too stubborn. If the decision you make doesn't go as expected, don't continue to force it just because you've wasted time and energy. This situation is called the sunk cost fallacy, namely being trapped in maintaining the wrong decision because you feel you have already invested. If you need to change direction, don't hesitate to do so.

 

• Compare the Advantages and Disadvantages

 

Once you have narrowed down your options, try to compare the advantages and disadvantages. Instead of just making a regular list, give more weight to the things that are most important to you or your team. For example, if a decision has a major impact on your career, that should certainly be a major consideration. This way, you can see which option makes the most sense and suits your goals.

 

• Evaluate Results and Learn from Experience

 

Good decisions are not made in a vacuum. Learning from mistakes and successes is the best way to become a better decision maker. After making a decision, measure the results with clear and measurable goals (for example using the SMART goals method). From there, you can find out what is working and what needs to be improved. 

The more often you learn from experience, the easier it will be for you to make your next decision. Many successful leaders rely on instinct, but actually these instincts are formed from long experience and learning.

 

Conclusion

 

Based on the article above, it can be understood that decision making skills are an important asset in the professional world, both for employees, managers and leaders. This capability involves the process of data analysis, critical thinking, and risk consideration to produce effective solutions. By mastering decision making skills, you can face various work challenges with more confidence and be able to achieve optimal results. To improve this ability, you can take time to think, avoid overthinking, and learn from experience.

By continuing to practice and improve your processes, you will become more skilled at making the right decisions and having a positive impact.