12 Ways to Make Bad Decisions

How you or your team chooses a forward direction may be flawed

Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash

There are three things that astound me about most organizations: 1) The cro-magnon way performance reviews are done; 2) The pitiful way brainstorm sessions are run and; 3) The voodoo way decisions are made.

What follows is an elaboration on the third— 12 common phenomena that contribute to funky decision making.

“Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.” — Malcolm Gladwell

1. Selective Search for Evidence

Gathering facts that support pre-determined conclusions, but disregard other facts that support different conclusions.

2. Premature Termination of Search for Evidence

Accepting the first alternative that looks like it might work.

3. Inertia

Being unwilling to change old thought patterns.

4. Selective Perception

Prematurely screening out information not assumed to be useful.