According to psychologists, an average adult makes around 35,000 decisions every day. Not all decisions are linked to business processes, and some may simply refer to your choice of outfit or whether you fancy a cup of coffee for breakfast.
However, regardless of the type of decisions, it is fair to say that making decisions is a natural process for the human brain. So, it would make sense to assume that in a business context, decisions should be reliable. After all, if we all make over 35,000 decisions per day, we are experienced decision-makers. So how come some businesses make the wrong choice? Here are some of the most commonly overlooked challenges in the decision-making process.
Poor setting
There’s a reason why good decisions tend to happen in the board meeting room: The space is specifically designed to elevate the decision-making process. Indeed, participants in the meeting need to be able to exchange ideas around the table — check this link here if you are looking for quality cheap conference tables —, plug laptop devices for presentation and work purposes, compile brainstorming ideas on a shared platform such as a board and sometimes arrange video/call conferences with external participants. In other words, reliable equipment contributes greatly to the ability to gather ideas and collect thoughts before making a decision.
Decision fatigue
35,000 decisions per day. It’s a lot! So, if you plan too many important business meetings simultaneously or one after the other, your team may struggle with decision fatigue. Essentially, it means that the individual is overwhelmed by endless choices and can’t decide. Simple tips such as reducing the frequency of important decision-making meetings and ensuring your team have plenty of opportunities to lead a healthy lifestyle can be a game-changer.
Meeting snacks and drinks
Everybody loves a donut and a cup of coffee. But traditional meeting snacks can make it hard to think clearly. Donuts significantly decrease cognitive functions, so if you’ve been planning a sweet treat for the meeting, it’s best to switch to brain-friendly snacks such as nuts, green tea, and blueberries.
Lack of meeting planning
Without a plan for your meeting, you can’t expect quality decisions. A meeting plan is designed to let the participants know what you expect to achieve. Therefore, it is essential to prepare and share an agenda, so participants understand the topic of the conversation and which role(s) they need to play.
Not asking the right people
Ultimately, you want to make sure you invite the right people around the table. The most common mistake in the decision-making process is to ask less experienced or informed people to make a decision. An expert is not necessarily the team leader. So, businesses that are stuck in a traditional vertical hierarchy system tend to miss out on the expertise of non-managerial roles.
Missing the human factor
People make decisions. So, the most important factor in the decision-making process is people, and more precisely, what could affect them. Peer pressure, fear of speaking out, fear of professional consequences, and workplace bullies can dramatically influence someone’s decision ability.
Is your business always making the right choices? The answer is no: We all make mistakes for a variety of reasons. However, if you are going to improve your business direction, you must prioritize the decision-making process.