A635.2.3.RB - How Companies Can Make Better Decisions

A635.2.3.RB - How Companies Can Make Better Decisions

An "engaged employee" is one who is fully involved in and enthusiastic about his or her work and so will act in ways that advance his or her organization's interests. Employee engagement is important to the competitiveness of any organization.

Recent research suggests that high-involvement work practices can develop the positive beliefs and attitudes associated with employee engagement, and that these practices can generate the kinds of discretionary behaviors that lead to enhanced performance. (Konrad, 2006)

My current employer requires its employees to join EI (Employee Involvement) Teams or Functional Teams. EI Teams have different levels to advance by completing certain challenges and goals. It is used to get the employees involved in process and quality improvement. It also gives the team some influence over how some of their work is done.

Joining and working with a EI (Employee Involvement) Team or Functional Team gives team members a chance to make decisions that could affect present and future processes and policies. (Blenko, 2010) suggests that there are four elements of good decisions: quality, speed, yield, and effort. I think that one element could be added to her equation and that element is participation of employees. Participation of the employees in decision-making makes its implementation easier. Employees participation has certain advantages and it ensures loyalty of the employees towards the organization.

The biggest impediment to good decision making is the lack of or not gathering enough information to make an informed decision. Making decisions without information presents two significant problems. First, you are likely to miss important considerations such as costs you may need to pay. Second, deciding without good information may harm your decision-making reputation. After all, if people see you deciding in an information vacuum, they may consider you biased and irrational.

Developing the ability to combat challenges of making good decisions and learning to incorporate the 4 elements that (Blenko, 2010) suggested will help set me apart from others. Spending time on developing decision making skills is especially important as my responsibilities grow.

References

Blenko, M. (2010, October 13). How Companies Can Make Better Decisions, Faster. Retrieved from YouTube (Harvard Business Review): https://youtu.be/pbxpg6D4Hk8

Brown, D. R. (2011). An Experiential Approach to organization Development. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

Konrad, A. M. (2006, March 01). ENGAGING EMPLOYEES THROUGH HIGH-INVOLVEMENT WORK PRACTICES. Retrieved from Ivey Business Journal: http://iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/engaging-employees-through-high-involvement-work-practices/