Improving Problem Solving Skills Improves Decision Making
One of the things that makes us human is our ability to solve problems.
After all, if we couldn’t solve problems with some modicum of success, we probably wouldn’t be here.
After all, life can be a series of problems. (Depending on the day, some people might say that life IS a series of problems.) It’s how we handle these problems, how we rise to the challenge, that defines us. Some of the most admired people in history were commensurate problem solvers. Some of the most successful people in the world today are, at heart, professional problem solvers. It’s because of this, that improving your problem solving skills is an excellent way to also improve your decision making skills.
If you think about it a problem is simply another word for a decision. All decisions arise from some type of problem, albeit small. On the other hand, all problems require some type of decision in order to be solved. The two concepts are, in a way, intertwined. Each one is related to the other and each one requires the other for resolution. If you think about it, it’s rather neat. So, it can be said, that problem solving skills are, in fact, decision making skills in disguise.
One of the first steps you can take to improve your problem solving skills is to take the time to think about the problem you’re facing. When you do this, you begin to see the series of decisions that need to be taken in order to solve the problem. Each of these decisions involve choices and each of these choices leads to a probable result. Therefore, if you pick the result you want and work backwards through the choices, you’ll arrive at the decisions you need to make to solve the problem. This focus on outcome is a powerful tool.
Another way to improve your problem solving skills is to organize the process of finding a solution. Remember that your problem is really only a decision or two away from being solved. This, in turn, will help you focus on the fact that a problem is only a decision in disguise. When you organize the risks involved in each choice you need to make, you can begin to see which choices will have more bearing on solving the problem at hand. This in turn, allows you to pick the choice that makes the most sense, given the nature of the problem. With the right choice in hand, a solution to the problem is right around the corner.How To Make Better Decisions
Some decisions are relatively easy. What to have for lunch? Should I take a walk? What should I do this weekend? These easy decisions are sometimes called “no brainers”. They’ve gotten this nickname partly because, in some situations, the right choice is obvious. (Should I jump off this cliff into that lake of lava?) Additionally, easy decisions also are called “no brainers” because making a choice feels almost mindless, like your brain wasn’t really involved. This happens because, when faced with a no brainer, our brains simply gloss over the decision making process. This is really an evolutionary energy saving measure. There’s no need to waste calories and blood sugar deciding whether you should eat, sleep or stick your hand in a fire. This gloss is fine until a tougher decision arises. When this situation occurs, a detailed understanding of the decision making process is crucial.
Difficult decisions tend to be difficult simply because our level of experience in dealing with them is much less than with easy decisions. This lack of familiarity or experience can leave us floundering. Our brains process patterns and try to cross match previous experiences with current situations. This means that, when faced with a difficult decision under unique circumstances, our brains will attempt to solve the problem by finding having us use experiences that are completely unsuited to the task at hand. In short, we will make a bad choice and obtain a poor result.
We can compensate for this by becoming better decision makers. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by comprehending why difficult decisions are so difficult. This knowledge is the best tool to maximizing positive outcomes in unfamiliar territory.
Difficult decisions tend to share some common common elements. First, they all involve a certain degree of unpredictability. This unpredictability makes choosing among various options much more risky. Deciding what to eat for a meal is easy. We know what to expect from the choices. Imagine how much more difficult a decision choosing what to eat would be if one of your choices would randomly cost you $100 or killed you.
Second, difficult decisions tend to be complicated. There are many choices. Most of these choices involve outcomes that, to one extent or another, are unpredictable. Also, most of these choices impact on each other. Using our previous example, imagine how difficult choosing what to eat would become if, say, deciding to have a sandwich meant you could never eat sushi again. Yet, at the same time, you also knew that eating a sandwich was the meal option least likely to cost you $100.
Good Decision Making Is All A Matter Of Style
We all want to be better decision makers. If we aren’t thinking about the process of decision making, we should be. It’s always better to be prepared. Why? Because, sooner or later, life is going to throw you a curveball that involves more than deciding what to eat for breakfast. When these difficult situations arise, the difference in decision making abilities often decides who survives and who doesn’t. Sometimes, this is literally the case, the ability or inability to make good decisions decides who lives and who dies. You never know what tomorrow will bring. A well honed decision making ability can help you make your life a more positive place.
We all make decisions differently depending on who we are. This is a matter of personality which, in turn is a matter of genetics and environment. It’s important to understand the effect your particular personality has the decision making process. This understanding allows you to have a clearer view of how you react to a difficult decision. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to problem solving. If you know yourself, you will be able to know the style your decision making takes. Good decision making is really all a matter of style.
The first main type of decision making style is the person who is in control. This person tends to face the decision, head on, as a personal challenge. They alone provide the solution and they alone will take responsibility for the outcome, good or bad. Think Captain Kirk and you’ve got a pretty good idea if this is you.
The next personality type is the individual who is extremely analytical. This person approaches the problem from an angle of pure logic. Their rigorous and methodical mind allows them to bring the power of critical thinking to bear on the choices the decision in question entails. They sift these choices and find the best solution. Continuing the Star Trek theme, think Mr. Spock to see if this is you.
Another personality type is the person who looks at the big picture when faced with a decision. This person tends to look at all the angles that may have given rise to the problem that know requires the decision. In reaching this decision, they will also look at all the possible outcomes from various perspectives, including ethical and moral considerations. Rounding up the Star Trek theme, think Dr.McCoy to see if this style of decision maker is you.Critical Thinking Can Help You Make Better Decisions
The most important tool we have is our ability to reason. Everything we see around us, is a direct result of this ability. Without reason, there would be no technology. There would be no structure to society, in fact there would be no cohesive socialization at all. There would be no laws or code of ethics. There would be no art or music. There would be no learning. There would be no communication. Without reason, there would be nothing. The word would go dark because our light had gone out. We would not be human.
Given the importance of reason, it makes sense to bring reasonable thinking to the table when making any decisions. Such reasonable thinking allows us to examine each of the choices a decision offers. It allows us to intelligently weigh the value of each of these choices. It allows us to make the choice that is best suited to our goals. Finally, it allows us to move forward with purpose towards that goal once a decision has been made. Another name for reasonable thinking is critical thinking and, as seen, it is an indispensable part of the decision making process.
Critical thinking refers to the method of using reason to analyze any concept in order to better understand all of the underlying ideas and principles that concept may contain. Critical thinking has nothing to do with intelligence or the potential for intelligence. Instead, it is a way to sharpen the thought processes so that they are logical, methodical and more rigorous. Critical thinking doesn’t make you a better thinker. Instead, it makes you a more powerful thinker. It is this powerful thinking that can help you make better decisions.
Like any endeavor worth undertaking, learning to think critically takes time and effort. You must train your mind the same way you would train your body if you were undertaking a grueling physical challenge. There is the same amount of pain and gain involved. This training is necessary because most people are, by nature, are lazy thinkers. It is actually physically easier not to think critically. It takes energy, real caloric energy. That is why most people complain of being exhausted after studying for, or taking, an examination. They’ve actually used up stores of blood sugar to think effectively. However, like any athlete in training, once you get into the swing of thinking critically things get easier. In fact, the more you do it the easier and more natural the process becomes.
Analyze Your Risk To Reduce Your Risk
The process of making a decision, any decision, involves an element of risk. This is because the future is uncertain. No matter how hard we try, no matter how well-laid our plans, we still can’t predict what will happen tomorrow with one hundred percent accuracy. The universe tends towards chaos. This chaos, in turn, breeds the unpredictability that gives rise to risk. There is however, a correlation between the ease of decision and the amount of risk. Easy, routine, decisions tend to involve low levels of risk. Obversely, difficult decisions tend to be much riskier. The key of any decision making strategy should be to analyze the amount of potential risk in order to manage and control the exposure to this risk.
Risk is really one word that covers two related concepts. First, all risk is actually potential. The higher the potential for damage, the greater the risk becomes. No one will argue that choosing to step in front of a train is not a decision loaded with risk. However that risk comes from the high probability of negative consequences that choice entails. Second, risk is also measured by the severity of the negative consequences that will come to pass if the probability for the those consequences occurs. Because of this it can be argued that stepping in front of a train that is not moving is less risk than stepping in front of one that is moving.
Once you understand the elements of risk, it becomes easier to analyze the risk involved in any decision. The first step involved in this is to identify each and every risk that could arise out of the choices a given decision offers. It pays to be detailed here. No risk should be overlooked, since every risk has the chance of interlocking with another and causing a cascading series of catastrophic events.
Once all the risks have been identified, they should be ranked by the severity of the consequences they may cause. Large, severe consequences need to be identified and marked, for they can cause the most damage. Less severe consequences need to be known as well. Because they cause less damage, they may actually be opportunities in disguise.
Finally, once the risks are identified and ranked in severity, they need to be re-ranked by probability of occurrence.
This needs to be done because a high probability risk with little consequence is preferable to a low probability risk with great consequence. This is the risk management process in action.