Decision Making Styles to Avoid
/About 2 weeks ago I posted on my blog about decision making styles from Mervin Charles. Well, partly because I got, busy and partly because it is really indicting, I failed to post the 5 styles to avoid. They are profoundly interesting to look at because you may just see yourself somewhere here. As a reminder, the 4 decision making styles that were presented were:
- Telling
- Seeking Counsel
- Seeking Consensus
- Delegation
Now, here are the 5 unhealthy decision making styles to avoid:
Bossing:
· Leader makes a decision.
· Leader instructs and informs others about the decision that has been made, but in a way that is rude, impolite, angry, and/or insensitive to those being addressed.
· This is security through control.
Selling:
· Leader makes an individual decision.
· Leader avoids possible criticism for using the telling style and insulates himself/ herself against negative reaction.
· Leader invites counsel, or appears to use a consensus style, then persuades the other person(s) toward the decision that has already been made in his/her heart.
· The leader deciding rarely recognizes internally, much less acknowledges to others, that the seeking of counsel or consensus was superficial.
· Leader may desire a goal but is not willing to shoulder the responsibility.
Perceived Consensus:
· A group of people agree to decide by consensus.
· Instead of actively listening and sharing until they mutually affirm what best describes the convictions of the group, one or a few strong people actually determine outcome.
· Everyone acts like the group decided.
· If accountability for the decision is needed, typically it is seen that the entire group decided.
· Strong underlying influencers may prefer power without the identification or accountability.
Over Management:
· A leader assigns a responsibility to another person, but often:
o does not release authority equal to the responsibility
o intrudes in a normal, healthy decision-making process
o checks on even minor details
o does not express approval
· The assignment typically does not include:
o a clear description of the authorization being given
o a clear definition of the financial resources available
o standards and ways to report back about meeting the standards.
· The leader may fear letting go or consider the task so important that no one else can do it.
Abdication:
· A leader assigns a responsibility to another person, but does not:
o maintain communication
o release authority to make a decision
o provide assistance and appropriate accountability
· The assignment typically does not include:
o a clear description of the assignment
o starting and completion dates
o standards and ways to report back about meeting the standards.
· The leader may want the job done without the work or may want to keep insulated from criticism.