PRIME: Making good decisions

Article Image: 

At times, the future outcomes of our decisions weigh heavily and require diligent thought before making a decisive move. This month, we asked our PRIME advisory panel how they arrive at decisions when the situation does not lend itself to a simple answer.

Codes to live by

Although our exact process may vary based on the specific situation, the foundation for our decision-making does not.  Regardless if the decision involves one or more of our team members, we base all of our decisions on what we call our Codes to Live By. This is a document which we spent a good deal of time developing internally several years ago. The purpose of this document is to form the foundation of all our decision making, weather as a team or individually. It is intended to be the guiding principles of our company for what we stand for in our day-to-day interactions with employees, clients, trade-partners, and everyone we come in contact with in a business situation.

Bill Simone
Custom Design & Construction,
El Segundo,  Calif.

Consensus first

The senior management team discusses the difficult issues in our monthly meetings—or a special meeting as needed—and we work things through trying to get consensus. These people are knowledgeable and willing to dive deep and be honest in expressing their thoughts. If we cannot get consensus, then I make the decision with the management team discussion informing that decision.

Tom Kelly
Neil Kelly Inc., Portland, Ore.

Don't be hasty

I make it a practice not to make quick decisions on important issues. It is important to gather the information and facts and carefully evaluate the possible outcomes. By involving my top management team, I gain a perspective that may not have occurred otherwise. I am fortunate to have a close circle of industry professionals that I can call on to help me look at the facts and formulate answers. Through this, however, I realize and understand that the responsibility for my decisions and the outcome of those decisions rests on me.

Joe Smith
LeafGuard of Central Iowa, Granger, Iowa

Document your decisions

We hold a meeting with our top management and discuss the situation to come up with the decision. We will base it on past experiences, company handbook, and document all decisions regarding employees.

Emily Lindus
Lindus Construction, Baldwin, Wis.