Decision Making for the Entrepreneur
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
What Type of Decision Maker are You?
As entrepreneurs, we must make decisions not only with our business but also with our family and personal life. Often these three things overlap when you are an entrepreneur. Learning more about our decision making style can often help us develop a strategy that meets our individual needs.
According to academic research, there are four basic types of decision making styles: directive, analytic, conceptual, and behavioral. Each style of decision making can be tailored to a specific role or situation.
DIRECTIVE DECISION MAKING FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
Directive style decision makers remind me of an officer in the Army. Usually, this style uses only the information available to the decision maker. The leader expects the decision to be followed through and assumes acceptable results. This style doesn’t ask for or consider the opinions of subordinates. She expects compliance without question. This style focuses on short-term results and not long term solutions. The decision is usually made quickly and without the collection of extensive information and facts.
This style of decision making definitely has its place. Especially if you are a leader within a strict chain of command. However, due to the short-term implications of directive decision making, this style shouldn’t be used with problems that need a long term or systemic solution.
The impact on team building is both negative and positive. Our team members may feel unheard and disregarded because decisions come down like orders. On the other hand, when a decision produces a successful result the leader has the opportunity to encourage and congratulate the team for a job well done.
ANALYTIC DECISION MAKING FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
An analytic decision maker desires information. He researches the problem and solutions from every possible angle. Considerations are analyzed from the smallest implication to the largest impact. It’s all about the data. Usually, this style allows for making decisions on complicated or fluid problems because more data is allowed to be gathered.
While this is a thorough way of making decisions and usually covers a lot of solutions, it is time consuming. Analytic style decision making is not for a fast moving environment. It can prove priceless for setting up systems and operating procedure in our business.
In consideration of the impact on our team members, analytic decision making can give our team the opportunity to provide us with the input, data and research needed for the most effective decision. However, due to the length of the process, teams may become anxious while waiting for a decision to be made.
CONCEPTUAL DECISION MAKING FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
The conceptual decision maker is the outside the box problem solver. She takes an artistic approach to making decisions. She looks at the problem from every angle, then upside down under a black light while eating ice cream! Usually, this decision maker is goal and achievement oriented. They use their gift for abstract and creative thinking to consider future impact and outcomes on their business.
Because of the broad-view of solutions, this decision maker can be a risk taker. This has both positive and negative implications. It can also be difficult to communicate with a conceptual decision maker due to the extent of abstract thinking.
Creative teams will be on board with this style of decision making. Due to big picture thinking, it can inspire and motivate our team. However, we must be careful to consider the less abstract members of the team who may be confused and frustrated with this process.
BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
A behavior decision maker is all about the interaction of those he works with. He wants everyone to get along and to minimize or avoid conflict. He likes working with groups and is good at getting people to see things his way. This leader desires to reconcile disagreements and make sure everyone is satisfied with the decision.
This style can give the team a sense of ownership because of the consideration given to opinions and relationships within the group. However, too much please the crowd focus can lead to weak and ineffective decision making and leadership.
Our team has the opportunity to contribute a great deal to the decision with this style. They can create a cohesive dynamic when successful. However, if one person feels more heard than another this can backfire on keeping our team cohesive and peaceful. Sincere listening and consideration of ideas by the leader is essential for keeping the team strong with this style.
HEART-CENTERED DECISION MAKING FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
As Christians, I think there is an additional style of decision making. It’s the heart-centered style. Research aside, we cannot forget or ignore the spiritual aspects of our person and our team when making decisions.
Sometimes we call it a gut feeling, sometimes it’s a vibe. In truth, it’s the spirit of God within you. He is leading you and guiding you through prayer or the feeling you get when you make a certain decision – a feeling of peace or excitement or both, for example.
Prayer is an essential part of heart-centered decision making. We are spirit, soul and body, after all. To ignore the spiritual part of our being regarding decision making in our life and business is to ignore God within us.
The heart-centered decision maker prays about everything, incorporating one of the above styles within that prayer. She listens carefully for answers to her prayers and acts on the direction God is leading. This leader is confident that, no matter the decision, when made with the right heart, God will direct her steps.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
While some may not understand this way of decision making, usually the results which yield from heart-centered decisions are best for all parties involved in both short-term and long-term success.
As for our team, heart-centered decision making, because it centers around prayer, can prove to be very helpful. Asking team members to pray for an answer to the same decision we are contemplating can bring you confirmation. It might even bring correction through the answers our team may receive. Praying together with our team also builds relationship. Not to mention the exponential power when two or more agree in prayer!
All in One Accord
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
God Bless Our Decision Making as Entrepreneurs
May the Lord bless us and keep us and help us make wise decisions in our businesses;
may the Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
may the Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace!
(Adapted from Numbers 6:24-26)
What style of decision maker are you most of the time?
How do you incorporate heart-centered decision making in your business and with your team?
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
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opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
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Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .