Strategic Decision Making

Strategic decision-making requires various thought processes, an informed principal, and a whole host of other requisites. Not surprisingly, a myriad of complementary methodologies addressing these concerns have developed over the years. Many of which are widely available for use as part of a comprehensive strategic planning process. Typical venues include formal education, seminars, and textbooks. The only problem is they target their wares toward organizations or institutional environments. Those also tend to have complex management structures. Some are considerably esoteric. To be sure, no one has cornered the market on these. Panaceas or one-size-fits-all solutions simply don’t exist. And why would they? As efficacious as they are, they …show more content…
It’s a conundrum that you have to navigate and it is part of the maturation process. Just consider, if you don’t make these decisions as they present themselves, someone else may do so as your proxy. Or, take the opportunity away from you altogether so you can lament later in life. Are you comfortable with that? My father, a WWII fighter pilot and later commercial airline pilot had a saying I heard often growing up: “He who hesitates is lost.” In his line of work thinking far ahead wasn’t an option because not doing so could easily get you killed. He also had another saying he learned while training Navy pilots: “The pilot crashed into the mountain but didn’t get hurt in the crash.” The reason was because the plane was so far ahead of the pilot’s ability to control it that he wasn’t in it – metaphorically of …show more content…
I suppose the best answer is that it is contingent on the particular scenario or situation. That’s not a copout. There are just an unlimited number of possibilities. But always keep in mind that on many occasions not rendering a decision is a definitive decision and will be subject to interpretation accordingly. That may appear highly counterintuitive. Although there is a significant caveat; the circumstances should always be intentional. If they are not, they are more likely the result of some oversight. Failure to make a choice as the result of indecisiveness, apprehension, or apathy can unquestionably become very troubling and subject to unintended consequences. Let there be no doubt that tacit inaction or a series of such, over an extended period can create very serious and undesirable outcomes. Those could readily manifest in limited career opportunities, financial vulnerabilities, and even adverse social situations. In those instances, the decision-maker essentially relinquishes their response altogether to someone or something else. When one passes control over to another entity there is a loss of control. So, why would this happen? Unfortunately, it is often due to laziness, indifference, or complacency. This is where personal responsibility is absolutely