In a recent issue of Inc, Angelika Dimoka, director of the Center for Neural Decision Making at Temple University, reviews a study measuring people's brain activity while they addressed increasingly complex problems. Using fMRI scanners, she found that when the information load became too much, the pre-frontal cortex more or less shut down. In essence: as people reach information overload they start making stupid mistakes and bad choices. (In my more simplistic language, healthy dialogue between the old brain and the new brain breaks down). She suggests 5 ways of keeping on track when it comes to decision making:
Biases – we all have them and it is a human tendency to draw a conclusion without considering all the evidence. Always consider the likely accuracy of the data, and what biases exist in the observer or reporter.
Choice - In the time between getting up in the morning and going to bed at night, we make thousands of decisions. This chips away at our mental energy making us less effective. Do not over analyse your daily choices and exhaust energy that could be focused on more important ones.
Attention - The brain is optimized to focus, one task at a time. Multitasking slows people and organizations down; it is draining and leaves little energy for the tasks that matter most. Making quality decisions requires quality thought and attention so... turn off distractions like email, the phone, and anything else that may take your mind elsewhere.
Fear - Fear of failure, making the wrong decision, and of our own inadequacy are the most common things that get in the way of quality decision making. If needed, seek out a coach or mentor who can help boost your confidence.
Noise - Organizational noise comes in endless streams of reports, metrics, emails, tweets etc. Internal noise develops from our biases, fears and competing priorities. Take daily breaks by engaging in meditation, exercise, and play.
Full article at: http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/5-certain-ways-to-make-poor-decisions.html
Biases – we all have them and it is a human tendency to draw a conclusion without considering all the evidence. Always consider the likely accuracy of the data, and what biases exist in the observer or reporter.
Choice - In the time between getting up in the morning and going to bed at night, we make thousands of decisions. This chips away at our mental energy making us less effective. Do not over analyse your daily choices and exhaust energy that could be focused on more important ones.
Attention - The brain is optimized to focus, one task at a time. Multitasking slows people and organizations down; it is draining and leaves little energy for the tasks that matter most. Making quality decisions requires quality thought and attention so... turn off distractions like email, the phone, and anything else that may take your mind elsewhere.
Fear - Fear of failure, making the wrong decision, and of our own inadequacy are the most common things that get in the way of quality decision making. If needed, seek out a coach or mentor who can help boost your confidence.
Noise - Organizational noise comes in endless streams of reports, metrics, emails, tweets etc. Internal noise develops from our biases, fears and competing priorities. Take daily breaks by engaging in meditation, exercise, and play.
Full article at: http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/5-certain-ways-to-make-poor-decisions.html
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