Towards an Effective Decision Making Process

We make consequential professional decisions about our careers. And most times, we seek help, from those we think that may know better. When I seek professional advice from people, I never  ask them to make the decisions for me. Largely, I only want them to help me understand variables, components, pieces and other elements which I may not know, and could be catalytic, for me to make the best decision, under the prevailing circumstances.

Sure, we like the professional mentor  to tell us what to do. Which university to select? – UNN; which company to choose?- MTN ; which country to emigrate to – Canada; etc. You want the answers direct and in an unambiguous way.

That is wrong. There is no way any individual will know everything about your background, and circumstances which could affect the choice of a university, a company, a country to choose, etc. The best an individual can do is to deepen your understanding of the university system and performance, opportunities in sectors and companies, and promises in global economies and  countries. Then, you can analyze using those  endogenous factors to arrive at the best call.

Indeed, sometimes, we feel let down by “suggestions” or “advice” given to us, from others, which we took line, hook and sinker, without any modulation, after years have passed. To avoid such feelings and get better at making decisions, change your style: do not ask for direct and specific decisions, rather, ask for clarifications on issues which, after you have processed them, will help you make the decisions, by yourself.

Yes indeed, personal responsibility is key. And firms on missions must discover their calls.

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