Decision-making Styles

When you need to make an important business decision, use the table below to help you select a decision-making style. Examine the factors and think about how they relate to your decision.

Decision-Making Styles
Style	Behavior	When to use	Do not use when...
Authoritative	The leader makes a decision and announces it	Time is short As decision maker you have all the knowledge needed	You need buy-in from others
Consultative (group or individual)	The leader gathers input from individuals or the group and then decides	As decision maker you do not have all the knowledge or insight needed The issue is important to the group	Others really don't have any say in the decision (as decision maker you may have privileged information)
Majority	The leader and the group reach a decision that everyone understands and the majority of people are willing to implement	It is a relatively trivial matter	The decision affects everyone in a meaningful way
Consensus	The leader and the group reach a decision that everyone understands and are willing to implement	The decision will impact everyone and they all need to fully buy in There is potential value in the team discussing or working together on the decision	Time is short
Delegate	The leader delegates the decision to an individual or the group with constraints set by the leader	The delegate has all the necessary skills, or there is a coach or mentor available	It is a high risk or high-profile decision