- Question Your Data. It’s OK to get data from another department or another colleague. But question what you are reading. Make sure you understand what the data is conveying. Then look at industry standards and research reports on the same information.
- Don’t Involve Your Emotions. When our emotions or egos get involved, we tend to make decisions for all the wrong reasons. Instead, put them aside. Focus on the facts and put the business need in the forefront.
- Don’t Delay your Decision. When a decision is big, we sometimes tend to delay our decision because it’s more difficult. Instead, put a block of time aside to do your research. Then consider the pros and cons of your decision.
- Understand The Consequences. As you come to your decision, consider the risks that can result. If the worst case scenario happens, what will be the outcome? If you know the possible outcomes, you may be able to mitigate the result. Thinking of them ahead of time will help you figure out possible solutions.
And what happens if the decision you make turns out to be wrong? First, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, review the decision-making process you employed and see if you can identify something that you missed. We’re not perfect, but if we can learn from our mistakes we can be wiser.