Decision making styles can vary between team members. This assessment sheds light on individual decision making styles and preferences. Completion of the assessment by each team member followed by discussion of the results can provide insight into similarities and differences among team members, and provide a catalyst for proactively discussing how you will manage these differences as a team
1. Each team member complete the Decision Style Inventory individually. CLICK HERE for a copy of the instrument (you'll need to be logged into your Google Account). Download a copy and complete the instrument offline.
2. Complete the Team Decision Profile (this can be done asynchronously using a shared file. CLICK HERE for a Google Docs template (you'll need to be logged into your Google Account).
3. Discuss these questions during a synchronous team meeting or using an asynchronous tool such as a discussion board.
- How are team member decision styles similar?
- How do team member decision styles differ?
- What are the advantages of both these similarities and differences?
- What are the risks associated with these similarities and differences?
- How will the team address/mitigate these risks? For example, if the team has more analytic than behavioral-style decision makers, how will the group ensure that behavioral-style team members are engaged in the decision-making process? What are the signs that a particular team member is disengaged given their decision-making style? How will the team re-engage them in the process?
Some important things to remember about decision-making styles (Kreitner & Kinicki, 2013).
- Most people have personal decision-making styles that include elements of of two or three Decision Style Inventory quadrants.
- Personal decision-making style self-awareness helps individualists identify their own decision- making strengths and development areas.
- Understanding others' decision-making styles facilitates group discussion.
- No one decision-making style is best suited for all situations. Teams are advised to approach decision-making using a contingency approach. For example, if a quick decision is required, a directive style might be best. Alternatively, a behavioral approach may be best suited to situations regarding team member welfare.
