3 Decision Making Levels for New Managers

Decision Making Levels for New Managers

Individual contributors typically make workplace decisions that mostly affect themselves. As a new manager, your decisions affect others and have an impact not only on your own success but on the success of your team. It is well worth it to review the key decision making levels for new managers.

Attributes of Effective Decision Making
Management decisions should not be taken lightly, nor should they be delayed by a kind of paralysis.  The fear of action that can sets in when you can’t make up your mind among the many alternatives is frustrating and demotivating to all of your key stakeholders. To be more decisive, managers need to have a:

• Balanced Framework that guides you to resolutions that make the best sense for you, your team, and your business.
• Rigorous approach that gives you confidence that you are weighing all the factors that influence the outcome.
• Thoughtful, conscious process that steers you toward making good decisions regardless of the level of complexity.

3 Decision Making Levels for New Managers
Based upon feedback from new manager training participants, here are three decision making levels for new managers to consider:

Decision Making Level #1
These are the everyday decisions that most new managers can make by instinct. They are simple reactions to a situation or stimulus. Do you need to order more office supplies, for example, or do you take your break now or later?

Decision Making Level #2
These next level decisions require some additional judgment. New managers need to apply experience and relevant information to the decision in order to make a good one. For example, if you are considering adding a new team member, you no doubt have a gut instinct as to whether they will fit or not. But, if you utilize behavioral interviewing techniques to uncover their personality, their motivations and their track record, you will make a better hiring decision.

Decision Making Level #3
This level is the most complex of the decision making levels for new managers.  The stakes are high and the expertise of others should be used. Are you considering developing and launching a new product? Relying on your instinct alone would be foolhardy. And there may be a dearth of relevant information available.

But there are certainly colleagues who can help. Be ready to reach out to anyone who has meaningful experience. What do they recommend? What else should you consider before taking action?

The Bottom Line
We know from people manager assessment data that decision-making is a core competency of good management. Combine the different approaches according to the complexity of the decision to be made. Then actively involve your team in the process to increase commitment and employee engagement.

To learn more setting the stage for effective management decisions, download 7 Immediate Management Actions to Create Alignment with Goals