How do you make decisions?

We tend to think that our decision-making process is the best. What most people don't know is that there are four main decision-making styles, all working uniquely for each particular individual. So what works best for you might not work for someone else. Understanding your own decision style can help you see your biases and make better decisions, and learning other people's decision styles can help you more clearly communicate with people who think differently than you.

Here are the four decision-making styles:

1. WHAT-type
   This decision style focuses on results and asks the question "Will this work?" These people are highly rational and want to know if a certain solution will be effective toward the intended end goal. They often do not care as much about the means to the end as long as the result is what they're looking for. The strength of this type is quick decision-making and rational thinking, while a fault may be overlooking ethical or practical issues with the methods used and overlooking the effect on other people.
   

2. HOW-type
   This type of decision-maker gets caught up with the method of the solution and asks the question "How does this work?" They tend to want to know all of the details of a plan to make sure the inner workings make sense to them. Even if you can show them that it will work, they still need to be able to understand how. The strength of this type is being very data-driven and rational, while the downfall may be wanting to know more than they need to before making a decision, which can lead to analysis paralysis. They can also overlook the people involved in the process.
   

3. WHO-type
   This decider cares the most about the people around them when making a decision. They will ask themselves the question "Who will this decision affect?" Who-type decision-makers value harmony and do not want to rock the boat, which can often lead them to avoid changes and stick to the status quo. They may even feel the need to get multiple people's opinions or approvals before making any decision, leading to slower decision-making. However, this type of person will be the most excited to start on a plan that will positively impact the people they care about. They are cautious and empathetic and deeply care about others' feelings, but they can be overly emotional when making decisions and forget to account for the data.
   

4. WHY-type
   This type is always asking the questions "Why would we do this?” and “Does this align with who I am and what I believe?” They want to know the heart and reason behind any new thing and will only make decisions when it resonates with them. They can be largely emotional when making decisions and may overlook facts. Yet, these types of decision-makers are deeply moral and will choose a more expensive or difficult solution if it is more ethical. They will do things because they feel that "it's the right thing to do" or that something expresses who they are, rather than deciding based on data or even how it affects the people around them.
   

It's important to remember that none of these styles are better than the others, they each have their pros and cons. Understanding how you make decisions can help you work around your blind spots, learn from others, and make even better decisions. Discovering other people's thought processes means you can better understand them and speak to their point of view.

If you want to learn more about yourself and how you can use knowledge like this in your personal or professional life, coaching can help! Check out my coaching programs or schedule a free consultation to learn more.