The next memory I had was when I became an Army officer.  In my early training, I attended classes on critical thinking and the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP).

At this stage of my life, I find myself reflecting on those early experiences with immense gratitude.  Understanding the difference between a need (food and shelter) and a want (a nicer car) benefited me in more ways than I can know.  These lessons for me were the difference between having a savings account and living check to check.

With that as background, let’s explore some of the dimensions of critical thinking and decision-making.   Although there are numerous methodologies and processes intended to help us think more critically and make better decisions, they all have a few points in common.

The 6 Pillars of Good Decision-Making

Judgement.  Although we’ve been thinking and making decisions since the day we were born, we’re not Artificial Intelligence (AI).  For better and worse, our thoughts, feelings, emotions, biases, and past experiences all play a role in shaping how we think and decide things.  Understanding how these play a role in your critical thinking and decision-making process is critical to ensuring you’re using good judgment.

Risks.  Often, we make decisions because we’re either trying to take advantage of an opportunity or avoiding risk.  In either case, asking yourself a few guiding questions can help shape the results.  It may sound simplistic, but the first question I ask myself is this a need, want, or desire?  The answer to this question helps me determine the amount of risk I’m willing to assume when I make the decision.  The next question I ask is how much risk am I willing to assume?

Assumptions.  Mark Twain is often credited with the saying, “It isn’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.  It’s what you know for sure that just isn’t so.”  Facts and assumptions are so critical that the Army teaches us to list them out as part of the decision-making process.  A false assumption or fact can prove detrimental in the decision-making process.

Process.  Having a critical thinking and decision-making process that works for you on a personal or professional level is invaluable for minimizing the risk of making a bad decision.  Without a system, methodology, or process, we can inadvertently put the cart before the horse, so to speak.  Meaning, we can tend to jump to an answer before understanding the actual problem, which can lead to less-than-desirable results.  Having a process doesn’t mean you’ll make perfect decisions, but it does mean there will be fewer bad ones.  With the addition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance, there are now countless critical thinking processes and an equal number of decision-making processes a person can follow.  In my opinion, the only wrong way is not to follow any of them.

Inputs.  Understanding what you’re basing your decisions on is a critical element in the decision-making process.  One way of thinking about the inputs is to categorize them as data or information.  More data leads to better context, and better context leads to better decisions.

Sounding Board.  Talking to a friend or mentor, preferably someone with more experience than you and who has experienced whatever you’re contemplating, can be priceless.  I’ve always said, I have good ideas, but they become great ideas when I’ve shared them with others.  You can save a lot of time and energy discussing your thoughts with someone more experienced than yourself.

Whether we realize it or not, we all go through a process when making decisions.  However, without being self-aware and assessing our own decision-making process, we increase the risk of making a poor decision.

If you’re a leader navigating high-pressure decisions, be sure to read “Leadership Decision-Making Under Pressure: The 6-Step Framework Used by Military Leaders.”  If your focus is personal choices, your next step is to read “How to Make Better Personal Decisions: A Practical Guide to Everyday Judgment.”

1. 1. P/F _____: Have you assessed your personal decision-making process? Without being self-aware and assessing our own decision-making process, we increase the risk of making a poor decision.
   2. 1.0 _____: Do you acknowledge your biases when making decisions? Our thoughts, feelings, emotions, biases, and past experiences all play a role in shaping how we think and decide things.
   3. 1.0 _____: Do you consider the amount of risk you’re willing to take, and if it’s worth it? Answering this question helps determine the amount of risk you should be willing to take.
   4. 0.5 _____: Do you acknowledge your assumptions when deciding? A false assumption or fact can prove detrimental in the decision-making process.
   5. 0.5 _____: Do you have a decision-making process that works for you personally? Having a process that suits you helps you make decisions faster and with more confidence.
   6. 0.5 _____: Do you evaluate the data and information you use to make your decision? Without the right or enough information, it’s hard to make good decisions.
   7. 0.5 _____: Does the organization you lead or work for have a decision-making process? Ideally, the organization adopts a decision-making process that connects with employees so that everyone is on the same page when making decisions.

    

2. _____: Assessment Grade

    Every decision is a seed, plant it with intention, nurture it with courage, and let time reveal the forest it was meant to become.

RuReady Resources:

1. Eric’s 6-Ds Quick Reference Guide. A streamlined framework from RuReady designed to work in both structured and fast-moving situations.

Amazon Books:

1. The Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) for Civilian Business Leaders, by Griffin Gorge Associates. This is a clear, practical guide that brilliantly adapts proven military planning strategies to the business world.  Griffin Gorge Associates delivers actionable insights that inspire confident, strategic decision-making in any organization.