We all too often think that, as managers or leaders, we have to make decisions on our own. That's not always so when it comes to strategy - here's how to include your team in the process, too.
Decision making is something we do in our working lives day in, day out - and often on our own. When it comes to a future strategy, though - there are many advantages to strategic decision making as a team.
It doesn't indicate weakness on the part of a manager if they decide to use a team-based approach to making decisions. On the contrary, it's usually a smart move to involve people from other areas of expertise and using the combined power of knowledge and experience, not to mention letting the team feel (and be) more involved in the future of the business.
Who should be in the group?
Just because you've decided to use a team approach to strategic decision making, it doesn't mean that it should just be any old group of people. Select them carefully. As leader, you should be aware of the various fonts of knowledge in your team that you can draw on, as well as the different levels of experience in the area you want to make a decision on. You should also examine the characteristics of your team members - if someone isn't a natural team player, perhaps they won't make the process easier!
How should you lead?
Leading a strategic decision making process for a group can be tough - so tough, there are even outside advisors that can be brought in to go through the process with you. Very often in groups, it appears that there's a majority opinion, and the pressure comes to go with that decision. This might mean you're overlooking a better minority option, so although the group is there to help, it doesn't mean you have to go along with everyone else.
The most common form of strategic decision making in groups is when a brainstorm happens. We've all attended these - everyone contributing their thoughts and having their ideas written down at the front of the room. This is also a good technique to flesh out a strategy or think of a group approach to solving problems.
As leader, you should also prevent the group from going off track or getting involved in issues that are outside the scope of the decision. You should also be mindful if the decision you're planning to make will affect any of the team, for example, an office move or a reshuffle of staff.
After the decision
Once a decision has been made and it's about to be implemented, remember to keep a record (or minutes) of how the decision was reached, just in case there is any future questioning on the process, or if you want to have a record of who the key players were in making the decision.
Finally, you can also include the team in implementing the decision - this will also increase morale and make sure everyone is "on your side" when it comes to the final result.
Strategic decision making, therefore, isn't something that you always have to do alone. If it affects large areas of the business: include your team! They will more often than not be happy to be part of such a process, and will perhaps contribute ideas and angles you never thought of before.
Collaborative working can often be the best way of decision making, if done correctly. If you're unsure of how to proceed, a training course in strategic decision making will stand you in good stead.
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