- The Expert View
HOW TO MAKE EFFECTIVE DECISIONS IN TIMES OF AMBIGUITY
We asked the experts if it's possible for leaders to learn how to make effective decisions during times of great ambiguity.More Questions
We asked the industry experts...
How to make effective decisions in times of ambiguity
Jeff Gothelf
Coach, Speaker & Author: Agility, Digital Transformation, Product Management & HCD
Make small, reversible decisions that can be tested quickly and adjusted based on evidence.Know more about Jeff Gothelf →
Matthias Seifert
Professor of Decision Sciences at IE Business School
Plan for contingencies. Consistently trade off upside potential and downside risk. And don’t be afraid to use probability judgments as a systematic tool for communicating risk.Know more about Matthias Seifert →
Matt Marsh
Business Breakthrough Specialist, Consultant, Coach, Author, Visiting Professor
Embrace the reality that the ambiguity can't be miraculously erased. Instead, be ready to pivot if evidence shows that things aren’t working out as expected.Know more about Matt Marsh →
Flooris Van der Walt
Author, Executive, Mindset Transformational Coach
In my mind, there are two anchor points you have to have during times of ambiguity. Know yourself very well with all your strengths and challenges and compensate your challenges with the best minds of others. Through the reflective interaction, you will be able to make the most effective decisions in the moment. As the variables change, you will have to keep the reflection alive to adjust a quickly as possible.Know more about Flooris Van der Walt →
Kriti Jain
Business Breakthrough Specialist, Consultant, Coach, Author, Visiting Professor
Making decisions is like going to the gym, where after working on a particular muscle repetitively, it feels tired. Under ambiguity, decision-making involves the skills of agility and flexibility and that easily causes fatigue. Simple strategies could be used to manage such fatigue. One simple tool is to create checklists. Pilots and surgeons - who deal with high stake situations - vouch for it. Scenario planning is the other one that helps prepare for contingencies.Know more about Kriti Jain →
Paul Hunter
Managing Director of the Strategic Management Institute
Decision making in an environment of ambiguity will be more effective though the adoption of strategies of adaptation and invention. Adaptation is the management of forces of change that are expected or unexpected, internal or external but beyond control. Invention is the design and implementation of programs of deliberate, sometimes disruptive change that is within control.Know more about Paul Hunter →
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