The 8 types of decisions

To live is to chooseit is a constant change. In our daily life, we are all used to having to make decisions about a myriad of issues that affect us.

From the most mundane decisions (what shirt will I wear today, what will I cook, what ingredients do I want in my pizza ...) even those of great importance (what car do I buy, what do I want to be in life ...), all of them go through the sieve of our emotions and ours rational thinking.

Making good decisions: the great key to success in life

Making good decisions is a true art and there are many factors that influence us when making a determination. In general, the manuals indicate that good decisions are those that are made in a thoughtful and rational way, using an analytical style of thinking.

1. Rational decisions

For example, when buying a car, we would have to comprehensively compare the benefits and prices of various models and brands, in order to reach certain conclusions about the suitability of each of the options available. They involve our

analytical intelligence and it makes us weigh the pros and cons of the decision we are about to make.

2. Emotional and intuitive decisions

Although it is true that when we rigorously analyze all the aspects to take into account, it is more likely that we will arrive at better conclusions about which is the most suitable car, in reality not all decisions can be made from this optics. To a greater or lesser extent, all the decisions we make are influenced by a good dose of intuition, and mediated by our emotions.

Continuing with the example of the car, and although we are able to make a rational examination of the makes and models and of our demands on the car we want to buy, It is likely that we feel a certain predilection (perhaps unconscious) for some brand or model over others, and although rationally there are not sufficient reasons for this to be So. This is explained by the heuristic thinking, and it is that human beings make decisions highly influenced by our hidden motivations and desires. And this does not have to be negative! Perhaps we will end up buying a car that from a purely rational perspective is not the most appropriate, but if we are happier with that decision... who can conclude that we have done wrong?

In reality, the important point when we are considering whether to make one decision or another is precisely to shine all our conscious and unconscious thoughts, from the most rational to the most intuitive and emotional, and find a satisfactory midpoint between the two factors.

The other 6 types of decisions

The decisions we make, in addition to what has already been stated, can be classified according to different criteria. In the following six points I will describe the decisions from the prism organizational and business.

According to the forecast

If we take into account the level of structuring and foresight with which we take them, we can talk about scheduled and unscheduled decisions.

3. Decision scheduled

These decisions are previously described and established by some type of regulation more or less formal, and its execution is carried out on the basis of a schedule. They are routine and strategic decisions that, in principle, are automatic and of immediate effect.

4. Unscheduled decision

They are not programmed or described in any normative text, and they happen as a result of the interaction of the corporation with the human and institutional environment. They are usually spontaneous and tend to have a greater scope over time.

According to urgency

considering the urgency level with which decisions have to be made:

5. Routine decisions

When the circumstances are similar and the context is also similar, it is likely that companies are looking for a way to establish certain recurring mechanisms to make decisions.

6. Emergency decisions

When the situation is unexpected and there is no precedent, companies must take special measures to adapt to the development of events.

According to the importance for the company

Companies must function properly in various areas: from daily routines to communication with other companies or with institutions. In this sense, we can divide the decisions according to this factor.

7. Strategic

These kinds of decisions inquire about company objectives and try to convey these goals to specific development plans. Usually, these types of decisions are the ones that guide corporations to success or failure, since they mark the way forward. They are decisions that are usually made by the CEO, the manager and / or the shareholders.

8. Operational

Are decisions essential for the proper functioning of the organization and one of its missions is to resolve conflicts between people, both from a human and labor point of view. Its handling must be careful since operational decisions also include determinations on hiring and firing.