Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills Blog

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Welcome - the purpose of the blog page is to provide you with a never ending source of valuable, practical and entertaining information designed to help you get the best performance from yourself and others.

In these blogs you will find all the information you need to make faster progress in less time and effort. Here you will find all the information you need to achieve your goals. In addition to helping yourself to achieve your goals, you can use the same information to help others to achieve their goals.

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Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills Blogs

Decision making and problem solving are the most important skills you can develop, since your whole life depends upon your ability to solve problems and make the right decision.

You make decisions all the time: Your career depends upon your reputation as a Problem solver, and as person who makes the right decision.

Decisions come in different types. There are five major types of decision you need to be able to handle;

Yes or no decision. (Should we, or should be NOT?)
Which one, what kind decision. (Picking one from more than one option)
Value order priority decision. What is the order of importance?
Logical sequence priority decision. What is the most efficient sequence of steps?
Problem cause solution: What is the problem? what are the three causes? What are the six solutions?

Each of these types of decision has its own decision-making technique which you can and should learn (or develop) for yourself.

Then you can walk into any situation, assess the current state, identify the problem, determine which of the five types of decision it is and then use the correct method to make the best decision possible.

Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills Blogs

How to Overcome Procrastination

21 May 2024

Overcome procrastination with the Mind over Mood method: train the rational brain, adopt smart time-management habits and use a clear action plan to act today.

Five Important Problem-Solving Questions

27 February 2024

Master problem solving with five questions: check facts, define the gap, write a plan, act on first steps, then repeat for ongoing improvement and results.

Unlocking the Power of First Principles

13 June 2023

Learn why first principles thinking beats shifting facts, helps you validate opinions, spark ideas and make better decisions that stay sound as the worldchanges

Key Steps to Better Decisions

6 June 2023

Learn evidence-based steps for better decisions. Gather facts, test ideas, weigh risks, review feedback and adapt to change for ethical, confident decision mak

Effective Decision Making

16 May 2023

Learn how six decision matrix types simplify effective decision making. Compare options, cut bias and act with confidence. Free decision making apps included.

Perception Bias In the Workplace

28 February 2023

Learn what perception bias is, why it harms teams and how to spot and stop it in recruitment. Use written criteria to cut unconscious bias and hire on fact.

Influencing Decisions When You're Not the Most Senior Person

2 August 2022

Learn how to influence decisions and persuade senior leaders with clear thinking, precise language, solid evidence and confident delivery, even without a title.

When and How to Use the Five Whys Technique

24 May 2022

Discover how the improved Five Whys technique examines natural law, material, design and intent, so you reach the root cause and prevent repeat faults.

How Rational Thinking is the Key to Success

14 December 2021

Learn how rational thinking and logical reasoning help you align with natural laws, remove contradictions and reach lasting success at work and in life.

What is the Law of Cause and Effect?

29 September 2020

Learn the law of cause and effect and use three counter-case questions to test claims, avoid purpose myths and find the real set of causes behind any event.

10 Steps to Solving Problems At Work

2 September 2020

Learn a clear ten-step method for problem solving at work: collect facts, define the gap, trace causes, plan action, monitor results and refine to hit goals.

Be a Straight Thinker

6 March 2020

Learn four simple rules for critical thinking that help you verify facts, judge source credibility, resist majority opinion bias and keep your logic clear.

Black and White Thinking

21 February 2020

Learn why black and white thinking harms decision making and how the Law of Identity helps you weigh options, avoid oversimplification and think with clarity.

How to Solve Problems

30 July 2019

Learn a proven 10-step problem solving method that tames fear, gathers facts, sets clear plans and tracks results. Boost critical thinking at work or home.

The Walt Disney Model

29 January 2019

Learn how the Disney model turns thinking into action. Switch between Dreamer, Realist and Spoiler roles to solve problems, cut risk and speed decisions.

The Four Causes of All your Problems

12 June 2018

Learn a problem solving approach that tracks issues to four roots-self, others, systems, nature-and shows how to change habits, guide people and fix processes.

How to Make a Good Decision

1 May 2018

Master decision making in work and life. Learn six decision types, avoid bias, use a decision matrix and act with purpose to make good decisions every time.

Tips on How to be Innovative

21 March 2017

Learn how to be innovative with 15 practical tips that turn fresh thinking into daily habit. Question rules, link ideas, test fast and find smart answers.

The Law of Diminishing Returns

17 February 2017

Learn how the law of diminishing returns guides time management. Spot the 80-20 sweet spot, avoid wasted effort and keep work, exercise and money balanced.

The Single Most Important Thing

19 August 2016

Learn the single most important thing skill: spot the key point, fix root causes, cut wasted time and solve problems faster in work, talk and crisis situations.

Decision Making and Problem Solving Training

1 September 2015

Boost results with practical problem solving training and decision making training. Master three methods and four key choices to act faster and smarter.

Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making

6 March 2013

Learn a nine-step problem solving method, three thinking tools and paper decision grids to turn feedback into smart decisions. Master clear, creative choices.

Blog Categories

Accelerated Learning (6)

Accelerated learning techniques are special methods of organising information, so that you can more rapidly memorise and more accurately recall it on demand. Accelerated learning also includes mind mapping and creative thinking techniques.

Assertiveness (5)

Assertiveness is a both a communication style and a mind-set which, when combined, allows a people to express their meaning using just the amount of forcefulness, in relation to their body language, voice tone and spoken language.

Change Management (16)

Change management training is how to use the fact of continuous change, to work FOR you, rather than against you. It is a fact that all improvement implies change, but many people hate change. Change management is about training people to love change as a means of making the future better.

Coaching, Mentoring and Developing Staff (10)

There is a pressing need to develop the next generation of leaders, managers and technical experts. One way to develop staff is through coaching and mentoring. To be an effective coach and mentor is not an easy skill to master. These blogs discuss the skills of coaching, mentoring and staff development.

Communication - Clear Communication (82)

One to the most important facets of communication is clarity. Whenever you write or speak, your words should denote only one possible meaning. If your words can be properly interpreted in multiple ways, then you are creating the conditions for confusion, error and misunderstanding. These blogs discuss the nature of clear communication.

Communication - Listening Skills (6)

Communication includes the ability to attend to, understand and memorise what people say to you. Effective Listening is an active, not a passive process. These bloggs discuss what it takes to be a good listener.

Communication - Nonverbal Communication (8)

Communication includes a large visual component. How you appear, as you speak, makes a big difference to how your message is received. These blogs are about how to best use your body language. (Eye contact, posture, dress, hand and arm gestures, etc.)

Communication - Persuasive Communication (41)

Persuasion is the art of convincing others that your ideas are good, right, fair and practical, and in addition, persuasion includes motivating people to put your ideas into action. Persuasion is a key communication skill that everyone should study. These blogs discuss how to be more persuasive.

Communication - Written Communication (5)

A part of your communication is in the written form. Writing well is a skill that most people do not study, though it is of immense importance. These blogs discuss how you might improve your written communication.

Conflict Management and Handling Difficult People (28)

Conflict is inevitable, and when it occurs, you need to resolve it quickly and efficiently. Conflict management (and handling difficult people) is about managing your communication and your emotions, so that you arrive at a negotiated solution as quickly as possible. This series of blogs discusses the various ways you can best manage conflict.

Decision Making and Problem Solving (22)

Decision making is the skill of selecting the best option from many options. And problem solving is the skill at determining the causes and implications of a problem and finding efficient remedies. This series of blogs discusses the elements of effective decision making and problem solving.

Goal Setting (9)

Success is the achievement of a worthwhile goal. And therefore, the first step to achieving a goal is to set it. Goal setting is the starting point of all achievement and is one of the most important topics you could study. This series of blogs discuss the elements of goal setting.

Leadership and Management (153)

Leadership is the art of setting a clear goal and inspiring others to achieve it. Management is the art of organising resources so as to most efficiently achieve that goal. This series of blogs discuss the details of leadership and management.

Mental Health (12)

Mental health is the skill of managing your own mind so as to achieve mental stability and a high degree of rationality. Mental ill health is the opposite, mental instability and irrational actions. This series of blogs, discusses how you might manage your mind.

Motivation (35)

Motivation is an emotion that induces action. Without motivation, nobody would achieve anything of value. This series of blogs discusses the various ways you can motivate yourself and others.

Other (45)

Whilst interesting and informative in their own right, these blogs don't fit into a category.

People Management (13)

People management is a combination of skills including goal setting, communication, planning, handling conflict and motivation skills. This series of blogs discusses people management skills.

Personal Development (75)

The best investment you can make is in your own personal development. If you develop your skills, knowledge and experience, then you will maximise your potential to produce excellent results. This series of blogs looks at the details of personal development.

Personal Effectiveness (87)

You are not paid for how hard you work; you are paid for your effectiveness. It is possible to improve your effectiveness and get more valuable work done in less time and effort. This series of blogs discusses how you might improve your personal effectiveness and therefore speed up your rate of progress.

Positive Thinking (9)

The quality of your results is based upon the quality of your actions. And your actions are controlled by your thoughts. To simultaneously improve both your material results and your mental health, it is vital to develop the skills of positive thinking.

Stress Management (4)

Stress can be both good for you and bad for you. Good Stress triggers improvement. Bad stress grinds you down. Stress management is about using stress to help you to improve, and to avoid the negative effects of too much stress. These blogs discuss the various aspects of stress management.

Supervisory Management Skills (4)

Supervisory management skills are a combination of five major skill sets, setting goals, communication skills, planning, performance management and motivation. These blogs discuss the details of supervisory management skills.

Team Leadership (7)

For the most part, we all work in teams. Leading the team effectively can make all the difference to the performance of the team, as a whole. This series of blogs discuss the details of team leadership.

Teamwork (20)

Teams are often composed of people who have very different personalities and skills. In order to perform well, the members of the team must work well together and play to each other’s strengths. This series of blogs covers the importance of team work skills.

Time Management (17)

Time management is about prioritising, planning, organising and delegating, so that, at any moment, you are always adding the most value, and setting the conditions for your future success. This series of blogs investigates how you might better manage your time.