We’ve all had the boss who is the analytical type, the thinker, or the knee jerk decision maker.  Each of them can present a problem.  I’m not sure which is the lesser of the evils; the boss who says go 110 miles an hour east or the one who asks 63 questions before they can pull the trigger on the thickness of paper to use for a presentation.  Both can drive you crazy, but in the end, you have to learn how to adapt to their styles and how to approach them as individuals.

For whatever the reason, the chain of command typically doesn’t involve two of the same.  For example, the thinker usually reports to the knee jerker and the analytical type typically reports to the one who thinks all of their decisions are the right ones. 

My belief though is that you have to keep a good level of self-awareness when making decisions with your staff.  You can’t be the cog in the wheel and frustrate your employees yet you have to be able to be on the same page with your staff when making decisions. 

Personally I’m more of cautious decision maker.  I try to make decisions quickly yet I want to think them through.  I’m by no means a knee jerk decision maker and I find myself saying, “there are two ways to look at this” before I go down one path.  I think it’s always important to look at a few angles before the decision is made. 

What type of a decision maker are you?