Decision Making Styles

Taylor Wilson
 • Reflects how a manager perceives and responds
to information.
What is a • There are 4 general decision making styles:
decision • Directive
• Analytical
making style? • Conceptual
• Behavioral
 Decision making styles:
High
Analytical Conceptual

Tolerance
for
ambiguity Directive Behavioral

Low
Task & People &
technical Value Social
concerns Orientation Concerns
 Value Orientation and Tolerance for Ambiguity
• Value orientation – the side of the spectrum in which a person
focuses on tasks and technical concerns or people and social concerns
Tasks & People
technical & social
concerns concerns

• Tolerance for Ambiguity – the side of the spectrum in which a person

has a high need for structure or control in their life.

Need structure Low Tolerance High Do not need

structure
 Pros Action-oriented decision makers

Low Low tolerance for ambiguity

The Directive
Style Task oriented and focus on facts when
Task making decisions

Tend to be autocratic, exercise power and

Cons control, and focus on the short-term
 Pros Careful decision makers

High High tolerance for ambiguity

The Analytical
Style Task oriented and focus on facts but
Task consider all angles and alternatives

Cons Take longer to make decisions

 Risk takers who rely on intuition and
Pros discussions with others to get information

High High tolerance for ambiguity

The Conceptual
Style People oriented and focus on the social
People aspects

Can foster an indecisive approach to

Cons decision making
 Receptive to suggestions, supportive,
Pros and prefer verbal communications

Low Low tolerance for ambiguity

The Behavioral
Style People oriented and focus on the social
People aspects

Adopt a wishy-washy approach and

Cons have a hard time saying no
 Company’s most
important
requirement: high
performance & results

I recommend a
Recommendation Directive Style for
decision making

Ensures systematic
approach to drive fast
results
References
1. Kinicki, A., & Williams, B. K. (2018). Management: a practical introduction
(8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.