Challenge Your Decision Making

Challenging assumptions that influence decision making is the theme of my latest reading recommendations.

I’ve come away with these key points by recently reading Think Again by Adam Grant, The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis, and Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed. Each of these authors connect to the pioneering work of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky.

• Research shows what we often assume to be true, isn’t. Kahneman and Tversky proved how our brains associate past experiences to create beliefs and trigger behavior. They also demonstrated how the brain can be fooled.
• That’s important to know because assumptions influence decision making and choices we make.
• When making decisions, different questions can lead to entirely different responses. Ask good questions—that is the right questions, to confirm and verify information. 
• There can be negative, even harmful, consequences of taking action based on false assumptions and beliefs.

As leader of a nonprofit organization, what is your decision making process? What do you base your opinions and conclusions on? Is it possible you are leading your organization in a direction that isn’t the right way to go?

What assumptions do you need to challenge? How can you improve your decision choices?

Click on this link to see my full list of recommended reading.                         

The list is organized into categories that include: Board Performance and Governance, Volunteer Engagement/Membership Recruitment and Retention, Strategic Planning, Capacity Building/Performance Improvement, Leadership/Team Development, Sponsorship Development/Fundraising, Branding/Marketing/Publicity, Customer Service, Organizational Basics, Chamber Commerce Focus.

What has been your latest reading that you would recommend to our community of nonprofit, association, and chamber of commerce leaders?