What Works: It’s Election Day, Let’s Talk Decision Making

Don’t worry. My business column this morning isn’t going to be filled with party politics. But I will ask you an important question about the politics of your company. How do you make decisions in your business?

Company decision making becomes more important as you branch out, hire employees, and build an entity that has a life outside of you — the owner. If you are not an owner, say you lead a department, the same concept applies. How you make decisions impacts the culture of the company, and thus, whether employees vote to stay in by staying employed.

Every day, employees vote on company decision making by deciding to stay or go. Right now, we are in a market where job vacancies are high. Even in our smaller area, choice is wide for employees who have solid education and skills. Even lower paying less skilled jobs are at an all-time high due to the explosion of manufacturing in this area. So, how your company makes decisions matters.

The way you make decisions drives your company culture. As you grow, unilateral (one sided) decision making must change from self-consideration to other-consideration. This is called building shared vision within the company. Starting out, this might be hard. It can be difficult to see your baby grow up. But, just like launching a child, the company develops some self-will. The strength of your culture determines the quality of choices that are made when your head is turned the other direction.

What is your company culture for decision making? As a leader, it’s your job to help either reinforce or shape the culture of the enterprise.

Geert Hofstede researched IBM employees around the globe. From this study come Hofestede’s Cultural Dimensions, five elements of culture you might want to consider in decision making.

Power Distance — How far down the line from the top can decisions be made? What types of decisions?

Uncertainty Avoidance — How much uncertainty is acceptable in decision making? Depending on the level of decision, how much supporting evidence is needed?

Individualism vs Collectivism — Does the company encourage the superstar or is the focus more on the collective? Are decisions allowed to be made unilaterally or is a quorum (simple majority) needed?

Masculinity vs Femininity — Are decisions based more on facts and figure or intuition? How nurturing versus protective is the organization?

Elements of culture include the company’s focus on its people, empowerment, values creation, embracing innovation and change, hands-on versus hands-off management, integrity, freedom to fail, personal responsibility and ownership of mistakes, and looking forward versus backward. How do these show up in the company you work for or own? What can be adjusted to give your company a culture employees want to lift up, support, contribute to, and of course, vote on every day by committing their time and talent?

If you need help with your company culture, I’m a local resource that is here to support you. For the rest of this year, I’m offering a complimentary one-hour group accountability session ($25 value) at no cost. Simply enter the coupon code GET-ACCOUNTABLE when you schedule a group session at www.whatworksconsultants.com

Let Me Help You

Reno Rising – The Book: Get inspired by 14 area women, including myself, who rose above significant circumstances in order to RISE. Reno Rising sold out during the Comma Coffee book signing during Wine Walk but is now available on Amazon.com – Seeking local businesses to carry the book at retail too.

Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Spring into action on your business! Entrepreneur’s Assembly, Carson City chapter meets Wednesday, November 14, 2018 in The Studio at Adams Hub for Innovation and every second Wednesday of each month. Free mastermind group. The Carson City chapter was voted Entrepreneur’s Assembly Chapter of the Year 2017. 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Need Guidance? Get the Help You Need: Did you know I meet with anyone for 30 minutes over the phone at no cost? You can book a complimentary session with me now at www.whatworksconsultants.com – Stay tuned for local business partnerships where I will be extending this complimentary service face to face.

ABOUT DIANE DYE HANSEN
Diane Dye Hansen has more than 20 years of experience in communication and change management gained in the sectors of government, non-profit, healthcare, publishing, advertising, entertainment, and technology. Her Critical Opportunity Theory helps organizations turn challenge into opportunity through proper leadership and team communication.

She is the president and founder of What Works Consultants, Inc., a consulting firm which helps business leaders communicate when communication is hard. This is done through research, strategic communication planning, change management consulting, human resources recruitment and training. She is a regular columnist on CarsonNow.org. To meet her and learn how she and her team can help your company, visit What Works Consultants, Inc. online at www.whatworksconsultants.com.