How to Make Great Decisions as a Group
A simple framework to make the best decision even when there is no data.
As a Sr. Engineer/engineering leader, we make several decisions a day. Sometimes we have data, and the decision is easy. But in its absence, we must rely on frameworks, experience, and intuition.
Relying on frameworks is especially important when making decisions as a group.
In this post, we will talk about one such framework that senior engineers and managers can use when leading the decisions making process in a group.
Making Decisions as a Group
Decision-making in groups is prone to two types of biases:
Let's look at addressing the Confirmation bias first.
Confirmation Bias
There are two ways to counter it.
Being aware of the bias and catching ourselves when we realize it.
Using inversion principle. Charlie Munger explains it the best.
Next time you find people in a group agreeing in unison, it's likely due to confirmation bias. Call it out, pause, and try the inversion thinking process.
As Munger said, it will help you avoid the unfavorable outcome of the decision you will take.
Halo Effect
If you are in the role where you can override the decision or break the tie, you can easily create the halo effect for others by speaking first.
The easiest fix is to reserve your comments for last. Listen to everyone's POV first and then share yours.
While this may be the easiest solution, it's hard for new leaders/sr. Engineers to implement. With time and practice, this becomes second nature.
Summary:
As we grow in our career, most decisions are by a group of people rather than by a single individual. Being aware of the above two biases early in the career can significantly help improve the decision-making process.
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