Decision making skills as mentioned previously are important. Individuals who can identify all of the options and compare them in terms of effectiveness and cost in business will be more effective. When we consider highly successful people, we often attribute their success (at least in part) to their decision making. We know that difficult decisions in business are made every day, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn`t, BUT the decision is made!

Decision making skills should improve our gaining of knowledge which will make our choices more effective. These skills you may already have and/or can be developed over time.

Such skills include:

• Using a decision-making process (as we have learned about previously)
• Self – reflection
• Discovery and creativity skills
• Imaginational and visualization
• Information gathering, data gathering and observation methods
• Assessment of risk
• Collaboration, communication, cooperative learning
• Negotiation
• Active listening (needed for effective group decision making)
• Coping strategies that help manage stressful decision-making situations
• Self-discipline and leadership skills that inspire and motivate commitment
• Time and task management needed for successful decision implementation.