It is a wonderful experience coaching management executives. While doing that I sense so much of confusion they carry for no reason. The cause of confusion is too much information. Indeed information is the heart of any decision. Decision-making has become a complicated process. Nowadays the focus is more on taking decisions. It has become about authority and less about responsibility. Definitely it is a very critical and important one as success or failure depends on the decisions that are taken. But as Gautam Buddha said, “We do not take decisions, We make them.”
Decision-making is indeed given a lot of importance from ancient times. Even Kautilya has categorized this process into three types. Chanakya says, “Kings (leaders) affairs are directly perceived, unperceived and inferred.” This pattern is even implemented today, but the effectiveness of this segregation is not understood well. Let me give you a bit of insight into three types.
1) Perceived Directly
Today what is missed is the connection with employees. The reason for this lack of connection is the time spent with them. With the structural and systematic working patterns, the connection of the executive team with the employees has reduced. This role is taken over by the human resource manager and the reporting manager.
The best source to perceive information is the direct source. When you connect with employees more often you understand their mindset without filters. This direct perception helps you analyze your options better to make an effective decision.
In Japan, which is considered to be one of the most advanced countries, the manager who spends more time with the shop floor team is respected more. The main reason being he is in direct touch with the employees and have a clear understanding of their behaviors.
Hence, the best way to have information that supports your decision-making is a direct connection with the employees. You may appoint or employee people to give you more insight, yet it is significant that the executive team stays in touch with the employees. The TATA Empire is known to be one of the biggest employers of India, yet Ratan Tata is known to be interacting with his employees on a regular bases.
2) Unperceived
Although, this is an indirect source for areas where the executive team cannot reach directly. Hence, this source is also important. As I mentioned before reaching everywhere may not be possible but is significant. In case if the executive team is not able to reach then they should utilize this source.
This source is not an authentic source as it is indirect information. The information received may be distorted or filtered based on receivers’ perception. Yet the executive team can be based on their own analysis, analyze the information and perceive it to their best understanding for effective utilization.
3) Inferred
This pattern of information gathering is based on the cause of the action method. This information is success-based. That is, when a successful manager gives you any suggestion to implement, it is inferred information. That is the information, which is interpreted, based on his experience and result achieved.
This kind of information gathered to make the decision is effective most of the times as it is factual bases.
Although, this type of information is for the experienced team and ongoing businesses. In the case of a new business, how will they learn the tricks of business? Making decisions that do not work out and then correcting them is learning the knack of business. Experience is the best teacher.
Hence, learning is significant be it from the experience or from the trainer or coach. We at Skynotch Group understand this well and coach and consult our client to interpret the information effectively and clear their confusion. We help our clients to have a clear vision and how to fetch clarity of information gathered.
