A discussion I was having with a frustrated coworker reminded me of these decision making myths from Professor Roberto.
We maintain a belief in a number of myths about how decisions are made in groups and organizations…
“Myth #1: The chief executive decides. Reality: Strategic decision making entails simultaneous activity by people at multiple levels of the organization….
“Myth #2: Decisions are made in the room. Reality: Much of the real work occurs ‘off-line,’ in one-on-one conversations or small subgroups, not around a conference table….
“Myth #3: Decisions are largely intellectual exercises. Reality: High-stakes decisions are complex social, emotional, and political processes….
“Myth #4: Managers analyze and then decide. Reality: Strategic decisions unfold in nonlinear fashion….
“Myth #5: Managers decide and then act. Reality: Strategic decisions often evolve over time and proceed through an iterative process of choice and action….”
Professor Michael A. Roberto, The Art of Critical Decision Making, Course Guidebook pp. 5
