Talk to the Experts Questions for 11/16/06

Decision Maker Quiz

This is a quiz to help you determine which type of decision maker you are. Assign each of the questions a letter based on the following scale. Keep track of your answers on a piece of paper, there is a key for grading and understanding your responses after the quiz.

A – Strongly Agree

B – Somewhat Agree

C – Somewhat Disagree

D – Strongly Disagree

Questions:

1. You study every possible outcome several times before making a decision.

2. You like round table discussions about topics to help make decisions.

3. You take into account everyone’s view on a subject before making a decision.

4. You base decisions on the facts at hand, taking less time to research, just to get it done.

5. You draw graphs with pros and cons, pluses and minuses, and then make a grid to make the decision.

6. You feel like making a decision to get it done.

7. You believe your staff is the best tool for decision-making.

8. Your decisions are quick and growth-oriented, enabling the company or yourself to move forward.

9. You keep all emotions out of a decision in order to make it the right choice.

10. You make a decision so others see you as a decisive professional.

11. You believe a consensus on decisions will lead to a better, happier company.

12. You listen to others when making decisions but generally make the decision on your own.

13. You will always make the best decision because you look at every possible angle.

14. You feel decision-making can provide a lot of energy to the company.

15. You base decisions on how they will affect the whole company instead of how they will affect you.

16. Your decisions are always based on your goals, yourself, and/or the company.

17. You feel better about decisions when you have all the facts.

19. Your decisions are thoughtful and will hopefully add meaning to the company and everyone working for it.

20. You make decisions that can be risky but the pay-off is going to be well worth it.

Scoring Key:

Examine each of your responses. Write down the number that corresponds to each letter response you gave. Total the numbers and then review the information below.

1. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

2. A = 3, B = 2, C = 1, D = 4

3. A = 2, B = 3, C = 1, D = 4

4. A = 4, B = 3, C = 1, D -= 2

5. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

6. A = 3, B = 2, C = 1, D = 4

7. A = 2, B = 3, C = 1, D = 4

8. A = 4, B = 3, C = 1, D = 2

9. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

10. A = 3, B= 2, C = 1, D = 4

11. A = 2, B = 3, C = 1, D = 4

12. A = 4, B = 3, C = 1, D = 2

13. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

14. A = 3, B = 2, C = 1, D = 4

15. A = 2, B = 3, C = 1, D = 4

16. A = 4, B = 3, C = 1, D = 2

17. A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4

18. A = 3, B = 2, C = 1, D = 4

19. A = 2, B = 3, C = 1, D = 4

20. A = 4, B = 3, C = 1, D = 2

20 – 35

You are probably methodical in your decision-making process. Although this is a very worthy style, it can hold you back from making quick decisions in a changing environment. You may also be causing some anxiety within the company due to a lack of decision-making because of your need for more information. Tackle this problem by examining the decision-making processes below. Gather all the information you can, set a clear and definitive deadline for the decision, and then make it. You will start to trust your decisions more over time.

36 – 50

You are probably a little more humanistic about your decision-making. You are an information gatherer just like the methodical type. You can sometimes get too many opinions and lack focus on the task at hand. You will try to make everyone happy and make sure it is the best decision for the whole company and the future. This style can cause decision-making traffic jams. Unlike the methodical person, you are not looking at situations as practically and analytically as you should. You can enhance your decision- making process by following one of the models listed in this section and setting a deadline. Ensure that you enlist the opinions of those who are responsible for the outcome and not everyone in the company. Designate a team and stick to just those individuals to help in the decision-making process.

51 – 65

Your style is probably more spontaneous when it comes to making decisions. You have a lot of energy and like the activity of making decisions itself. It affords you the opportunity to be expressive and gather attention for your style and professionalism. This is a good model to follow although you can be a bit too quick to make a decision if the majority is leaning in one direction without being a leader. Using one of the models provided will enable you to gather information based on a consensus of the group and then make a decision fast to move on. This will help your company to stay flexible in a changing mortgage environment.

66 – 80

You may have the competitive style all sewn up. You are independent and can make decisions based on your strong knowledge of your goals and the direction of the company. You are fast and driven so this will help with the changing environment around you. The drawback to this style is the lack of listening. You may not take into account those around you who have a more analytical style. They may see the big picture more clearly and could help you make a more thorough decision. Using one of the other models will help you work on getting a solid decision-making process that works for your future as well as the company’s.