Decision making is the process of identifying and choosing alternative courses of action. While we want to make rational decisions, sometimes we don’t . . . sometimes we make non-rational decisions.

There are four steps in rational decision-making:

1. Forming – Getting oriented and getting acquainted. High degree of uncertainty as members as they try to figure out who is in charge.
2. Storming – Personalities start to emerge, along with roles and conflicts within the group.
3. Norming – In the third stage conflicts are resolved, relationships developed, harmony and unity surfaces.
4. Performing – The members concentrate on solving problems and completing the assigned task.
5. Adjourning – Members prepare to disband. Some members may be reassigned, terminated from the group or the group is resolved.

On the other hand, non-rational decisions are generally the result of either Satisficing (going with the first available option without much research) or Intuition (using your “gut” or just your own feelings to make decisions).

For this week’s discussion, think about a time when you made a non-rational decision on the job or in your personal life.

• Was it the result of satisficing or intuition?
• How would your decision have been different using the four steps for rational decision-making?
• How would the steps have helped you to make a better, or more sound, decision?