Idea in Brief

The challenge: With rapid technological advances and more matrixed organizations, leaders are making decisions faster and more frequently than ever.

The solution: Recognizing different decision types helps you approach them better. By understanding these, you can leverage your strengths and your teams’ for more effective decision-making.

Strengths and four Decision Types

Every decision is different. Some will require swift action, others call for team work. But how do you know which approach to take? Harvard Professior Phil Rosenzweig categorizes decisions into four types, based on how much control you have over the choice and how success is measured:

Type 1: Routine choices

(Low control, No competition)

• Example: Selecting software for your team.

• Ask yourself: Can I influence the product or service details? If not, minimize common biases and base decision on facts.

• Key Tip: Review blind spots in your 34 CliftonStrengths Report to identify potential influences on your decision.

Type 2: Influencing outcomes

(High Control, No Competition)

• Example: Managing a project deadline

• Ask yourself: How can I use my strengths to drive progress?

• Key Tip: Check page 21 of the CliftonStrengths 34 Report to see which domain you lead with:

  • Executing Domain: Turns ideas into reality.

  • Influencing Domain: Persuades and influences others effectively.

  • Relationship Building Domain: Understands others' perspectives, and builds strong relationships, partnerships, and consensus.

  • Strategic Thinking Domain: Generates ideas, makes sense of information and data.

Type 3. Placing competitive bets

(Low Control, High Competition)

• Example: Launching an existing product in a crowded market.

• Ask yourself: What are my competitors likely to do?

• Key Tip: Stay ahead by anticipating moves and leveraging market insights. If you’re low on Strategic Thinking strengths, partner with someone who excels in that area.

Type 4: Strategic decision-making

(High Control, High Competition)

• Example: Entering an emerging industry like AI.

• Ask yourself:

  • Do we have the right mix of skills (technical, strategic, and innovative)?

  • How can we leverage partnerships and alliances to strengthen our position?

• Key Tip:

  • Complex decisions need diverse strengths. Knowing your own strengths helps build a complementary them. But remember, according to Gallup, Awareness of team members' strengths is a stronger predictor of team engagement and performance than the specific composition of a team's strengths.

  • Use an aid to visualize your team’s strengths, like the CliftonStrengths team grid (ask your coach about it).

Next steps

Interested in practical strategies to move your team forward? Book a call with me to discover how CliftonStrengths coaching can support you and your team.