Management Tip of the Day: 3 Tips for Making a High-Stakes Decision

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 12, 2011 3 Tips for Making a High-Stakes Decision Even the most decisive manager can face despair when dealing with a high-stakes matter. Next time you're up against a career-making decision, trying doing these three things: Trust, and challenge, your gut. In some cases, your first instinct may be right, but it's probably not based on rational thought. It's important to question your initial reaction and test it once you've gathered more data. Check your bias. Self-interest can be subconscious. Recognize when you may be partial and ask a trusted peer to double-check your decision for any prejudice. Involve others. Big decisions shouldn't happen in a vacuum. Consult with others to gather differing opinions. This will help you make a more informed choice and give you a better shot at winning buy-in. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Make a High-Stakes Decision" by Amy Gallo. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Decision Making: Harvard ManageMentor Online Module Harvard ManageMentor How to turn decision making into an effective business process that incorporates input from many individuals throughout an organization. Learn to identify underlying issues related to a decision, generate multiple alternatives, evaluate those alternatives, and communicate and implement the decision. Includes tools and techniques for diagnosing and defining problems, identifying root causes, generating options, and weighing alternatives. One-year single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Take a Nap at Work Convince Others to Embrace Risk 3 Things Your Company Should Do on Twitter 2 Ways You Shouldn't Pitch an Idea Cope with Your Incompetent Boss Avoid Overinvesting in IT 3 Ways to Help Consumers Express Themselves 3 Areas Your Organization Must Align 3 Don'ts of Persuasion 3 Tips for Hiring Recent Graduates BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)