Indecisiveness is harming businesses

Businesses are built through decision making. It’s an everyday occurrence and is necessary to keep organisations afloat and growing. This is why eliminating a culture of indecision is so important.

“Once a decision is made, the follow through should be sequential and smooth, but unfortunately, this does not always occur because the people factor is overlooked,” commented Valerie Lew-Kiedrowski, managing director of RelateUcation.

“Rather than collaboration, leaders try and drive, sometimes even force, decisions through. Rather than providing systemic support to encourage understanding through communication and connection to build relationships. Promoting participation and minimising conflict is key so that decisions and change are accepted and backed by the very people who will carry out the decisions and changes to be made.”

If a business is unable to make fast and effective decisions, strategy can suffer. Making informed and goal-oriented decisions can propel a company forward.

“Some leaders do involve others in brainstorming sessions, and sometimes these may work, but what about those in these sessions (strategic, financial or operational) that don’t speak up because they’re either introverts, internal processers or choose not to do so for fear of reprisal. Leaders, therefore, need to be able to ask effective questions so that they, and the organisation, are not left with a lack of information and closure, which can lead to false assumptions,” said Lew-Kiedrowski.

“Whilst some leaders may use brainstorming groups, these can also ‘generate substantially fewer ideas than the same number of individuals producing new ideas in isolation’, according to Adrian Furnham, professor of psychology at University College London. The result – decisions are not followed through and/or there is little support and energy for them.”

Business decisions affect everyone involved. This is why gauging the opinions of those who will be affected by the decision should be considered before jumping headfirst into something.

“Leaders need to be brave by listening to all views, i.e. those for and against, and engage in ongoing formal and spontaneous discussion to ensure everyone has full understanding, accepts the pros and cons of the decisions being made, and is on board with them,” explained Lew-Kiedrowski.

“Successful business strategy and people strategy have never been so connected. For decisions and follow-through to be successful, leaders need to be people-focused and collaborative to build trust, accountability, performance alignment and communicate to connect and build relationships.”

To assist in eliminating indecision, Indeed listed 12 valuable tips:

1. Recognise the outcomes of indecision.
2. Focus on the benefits of each option.
3. Understand the scope of your decisions.
4. Write out each option.
5. Create personal deadlines.
6. Work on your self-confidence.
7. Practice stress management techniques.
8. Use the process of elimination.
9. Ask for help.
10. Take a break
11. Understand the emotions attached to each decision.
12. Flip a coin.