1. High-Impact Leadership: Train Managers in the Art of Decision Making
Use a systematic process to drive optimal decisions.
McLean & Company is a research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools and advice that have a clear and measurable impact on your business. © McLean & Company. McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group
SAMPLE
Learn about becoming a member

2. Many leaders rely on instincts rather than structured decision making
Managers are paid to make decisions, but few of them are trained on how to approach decision making to ensure the best chance at optimal outcomes.
Learning and Development leaders who are responsible for providing training as a part of a leadership development program.
Organizational trainers who are tasked with creating training content and/or delivering it to participants.
Anyone interested in learning effective decision making.
Make the case for training managers on decision making.
Prepare to implement decision training.
Deliver decision training to managers.
Evaluate the success of the training.
SAMPLE

3. The ability to make sound decisions is a key management competency
Most day-to-day decisions, often including operational decisions (e.g. “What should we say to customers about our new product?”) and tactical decisions (e.g. How should we market the new product line?”) are not important enough to undertake a thorough rational analysis. However, in the case of strategic decisions (e.g. “Should we merge with another company?”), as well as important operational and tactical decisions, a thorough rational analysis is called for. When coupled with an understanding of our inclinations toward irrationality – and tactics for avoiding those judgment traps and biases – it gives us the best opportunity to arrive at an optimal decision.
Decision-making is recognized as a required leadership competency by most organizations. In fact, many persuasively argue that decision making is the essence of a manager’s job – particularly at the mid to high level.
Despite a glut of research on all facets of decision making, decisions often fail. In fact, one source claims a decision failure rate of 50% – effectively no better than chance. (Source: “Principles of Management, v.1.0,” Carpenter et al.)
In order to become effective decision makers, leaders must be reminded of how to take a structured approach to decision making to drive stakeholder buy-in, reduce bias, manage groupthink and analysis paralysis, and drive overall decision consistency.
Thorough training on decision making will enable managers to realize greater decision-making success – and easily translate into significant business outcomes.
SAMPLE

4. Guided Implementation
McLean & Company offers various levels of support to best suit your needs
Guided Implementation
“Our team knows that we need to fix a process, but we need assistance to determine where to focus. Some check-ins along the way would help keep us on track.”
DIY Toolkit
“Our team has already made this critical project a priority, and we have the time and capability, but some guidance along the way would be helpful.”
Workshop
“We need to hit the ground running and get this project kicked off immediately. Our team has the ability to take this over once we get a framework and strategy in place.”
Consulting
“Our team does not have the time or the knowledge to take this project on. We need assistance through the entirety of this project.”
Diagnostics and consistent frameworks used throughout all four options
SAMPLE

5. Familiarize yourself with McLean & Company’s five-step approach to decision making
Use the High-Impact Leadership Training Deck: The Art of Decision Making to review each step in the process..
1. Identify the Problem & Define Objectives
2. Establish Decision Criteria
3. Generate and Evaluate Alternatives
4. Select an Alternative and Implement
5. Evaluate the Decision
The training session will cover the following:
The importance of decision making
360 degree feedback review
McLean & Company’s Decision Making Model
Decision making analysis
Case study
Individual development planning
SAMPLE

6. Sample Slides
SAMPLE

7. Leadership development has been the #1 organizational priority for three years running – out of 31 initiatives in 2014
Top 10 Priorities
Top 10 Priorities
Top 10 Priorities
Leadership development
Employee development
Employee Communications
HR Strategic Planning
Performance Appraisals
Managing Organizational Culture
Succession Planning
Coaching
HR Structure
Internal Talent Assessment
Leadership development
Employee Engagement
Employee Development
Management Development
Strengthening the Talent Pipeline
Improving Team Performance
Succession Planning
Performance Appraisal Programs
Compliance
HR-Business Alignment
Leadership development
Employee Engagement
Management Development
HR Strategic Planning
Performance Appraisals
Strengthen the Candidate Pipeline
Coaching
Succession Planning
HR Software Upgrades
Compliance
Want to know more about 2014 HR Trends and Priorities?
Download McLean & Company’s report: HR Trends and Priorities for 2014
Source: McLean & Company; 2014, n=502; 2013, n=299; 2012, n=134
SAMPLE

8. Decision-making training boosts business benefits and helps managers develop a core competency
Why train mid-level managers on decision making?
Despite an abundance of research on all facets of decision making, decisions often fail. In fact, one source claims a decision failure rate of 50% – effectively no better than chance.
Source: “Principles of Management, Carpenter et al.
Many managers report relying heavily on instinct or “gut” during the decision making process.
Source: “Avoiding Auditor Bias and Making Better Decisions,” Bettinghaus et al.
Structured decision-making processes help to reduce bias, curb groupthink, diminish the risk of analysis paralysis, increase stakeholder buy-in, guard against an over-reliance on “gut” instinct, and drive overall decision consistency. As a result, structured decision-making training can significantly boost decision success and business profitability.
In addition to the positive business outcomes that come from a higher decision success rate, managers also strengthen a core competency. In fact, 54% of organizations agree with the statement: “Decision-making is recognized as a core capability within my organization.”
Source: “Decisive Action: How businesses make decisions and how they could do it better,” EIU
If we slow down and push ourselves to think more rationally about the decision at hand… judgments will be less biased, more rational, and more likely to be a better decision.
Source: “Avoiding Auditor Bias and Making Better Decisions,” Bettinghaus et al.
SAMPLE

9. McLean & Company Helps HR Professionals To:
Empower management to apply HR best practices
Develop effective talent acquisition & retention strategies
Build a high performance culture
Maintain a progressive set of HR policies & procedures
Demonstrate the business impact of HR
Stay abreast of HR trends & technologies 
Sign up to have access to our extensive selection of practical solutions for your HR challenges
Learn About Becoming a Member
" Now, more than ever, HR leaders need to help their organizations maximize the value of their people. McLean & Company offers the tools, diagnostics and programs to drive measurable results."
– Jennifer Rozon, Vice President, McLean & Company
Toll Free:
hr.mcleanco.com
SAMPLE