Question

Decision Making Styles

Select a certain decision-making style (analytical, conceptual, directive or behavioral) and explain how you have witnessed its use and the extent to which it was effective.

Answer 1

Behavioral style decision-making-

This style of decision-making has a low tolerance in ambiguity. The style is intuitive in nature. In this decision-making style, the manager will engage the team members in team discussions to determine the mood of the team members. The manager makes the decision based on what he feels right that motivates the team to perform better. Once the decision is taken, the decision is communicated clearly and there is no second thought.

In my workplace, my Team Manager conducted a team meeting to discuss on the team member’s preferences on choosing the best team player award for the whole department for the quarter. Though there were conflicts in the team, the selection criteria were communicated to the team members and they were asked to choose the person based on the criteria. Then the manager observed the mood of the team members while selecting the best person. The manager felt that her decision should not be de-motivating to seniors and to expertise members. Once they arrived at a consensus and based on her intuition, she selected the best team player for the quarter. This was clearly communicated to the team members who accepted the decision. There was harmony in the team and their morale was not affected. Neither did it hurt the feelings of the senior and expertise members.