Lesson 1: Types of Decisions

Some decisions are just plain difficult, have lots of sub-decisions and options, and can take a fair bit of time to make because there’s a lot riding on the outcome. 

Some can be made almost on ‘auto pilot’ because you’ve been down that road so many times before and know the score. 

Some are made in an apparent flash of inspiration

Others take a lot discussion with lots of people. 

All decisions will – or should – in the end have sound logic at their core, but basically you can choose from three different approaches:
(a) Leading with the ‘head’ – rational decisions
(b) Going with your ‘gut’ – intuition-based decisions
(c) Putting it to the people – group-based decisions

Lesson plan

  • Types of Decisions – 3 sections + check understanding question after each
  • Optional Extras – 1 page PDF articles
    • Making Big Decisions Together
  • Recap Quiz – Types of Decisions
  • Personal Experience

Lesson 2: Decision Derailers

The not-so-great news is that, whatever approach you adopt comes with its downsides.

Rational decision-making sounds like the grown-up approach, and might appeal to the left-brain logic lovers among us, but it can lead to analysis paralysis. An intuition-based approach might feel right and appealing especially to right-brain creatives, but they’re prone to bias and errors of judgement. And when it comes to group decisions, conflicting opinions and power struggles can muddy the waters, making it tough to reach a true consensus.

In this lesson we will look at:
(a)  ‘Rational’ Roadblocks
(b)  The Problem with Intuition
(c)  When Group Decisions Go Wrong

Lesson plan

  • Decision Derailers – 3 sections + check understanding question after each
  • Optional Extras – 1 page PDF articles
    • When to Make Decisions – Don’t Rush It  
  • Recap Quiz – Decision Derailers
  • Personal Experience

Lesson 3: De-risking Decisions

Making decisions can at times feel like Mission Impossible – especially when there are other people involved! 

But there is much that decision-makers can do to reduce if not remove the risks. The trick is to recognise the kinds of risks a particular decision and decision approach might raise and, where possible, to go for prevention rather than cure.

In this lesson we will explore how to reduce:
(a) ‘Outcome’ Risk
(b) ‘People’ Risk
(c) ‘Process’ Risk

Lesson plan

  • De-risking Decisions – 3 sections + check understanding question after each
  • Optional Extras – 1 page PDF articles
    • Decision-making – Gaming It     
  • Recap Quiz – De-risking Decisions
  • Personal Experience

Workshop

  • This Workshop is called Decisions, Decisions
  • Workshop Preparation
    • TAG Feedback Model.pdf
    • Video Call Etiquette.pdf
  • For Facilitators: Lesson Plan
  • Facilitator Workshop Feedback

Reflection & Feedback

Course Feedback – From You

  • Your Course Experience

Workshop Feedback – From You

  • Your Workshop Experience

Reflection & Feedback For You

  • Your Module Takeaways

Module M14