Better decision making for your work and life

Have you ever sat at your desk, staring at a simple email or a project plan, unable to pull the trigger because you’re terrified of making the wrong call? We’ve all been there – that paralysing feeling where every option looks like a potential disaster and your brain just decides to shut down. It’s not that you’re incapable; it’s that you haven’t yet mastered the art of better decision making tailored to how your specific brain actually works.

Why we struggle with choices

Decision fatigue is real, but for many of us, the struggle goes deeper than just being tired. You might have been told you’re too impulsive, or perhaps too clinical and cold when making choices. Maybe you’re the person who needs fifty spreadsheets before choosing a lunch spot, or the one who ignores the data because a 'gut feeling' told you otherwise. These aren't flaws – they are reflections of your natural tendencies.

In today's workplace, the pressure to be 'right' every single time is exhausting. We live in a world that prizes speed, yet punishes mistakes. This creates a cycle of anxiety where we avoid making a choice until the choice is made for us by a deadline. To achieve Hey Compono, we believe you first need to stop trying to fix your personality and start using it to your advantage. Better decision making isn't about becoming a robot; it's about recognising the invisible biases that lead you astray.

At Compono, our research into high-performing teams shows that the most effective decisions aren't made by the smartest person in the room – they are made by people who understand their own cognitive blind spots. When you realise why you lean toward certain risks or shy away from others, the fog starts to lift.

Understanding your decision-making DNA

Your work personality is the blueprint for how you process information. If you’ve ever wondered why your colleague can make a million-dollar call in seconds while you need three days to think, it usually comes down to your primary traits. For example, The Evaluator is naturally objective and logical. They thrive on data-driven choices, but their blind spot is often dismissing the emotional impact their decisions have on the team.

On the flip side, The Helper prioritises harmony and team morale. Their better decision making process involves ensuring everyone is on board, but they might struggle when a tough, unpopular choice needs to be made. Neither approach is 'wrong', but they both require different strategies to reach an optimal outcome.

The Hey Compono app helps you bridge this gap by providing personality-adaptive coaching. Instead of generic advice, it gives you prompts based on your specific profile. If you're a The Pioneer, you might need a nudge to look at the practical details. If you're The Auditor, you might need help moving past the data to take a calculated risk.

The hidden traps of cognitive bias

Even with a clear head, our brains are wired to take shortcuts. These shortcuts, or cognitive biases, are the enemies of better decision making. One of the most common is 'confirmation bias' – where we only look for information that proves we were right all along. We stop being objective and start being defensive.

Then there is the 'sunk cost fallacy'. This is when we keep pouring time and energy into a failing project just because we’ve already invested so much. It feels like quitting if we stop, but in reality, staying the course is the actual mistake. Recognising these patterns in the moment is incredibly difficult because they feel like common sense at the time.

To combat this, you need a framework that forces you to look at the problem from multiple angles. This is where diversity of thought becomes a superpower. If you are The Coordinator, you’re brilliant at structure and planning, but you might miss the out-of-the-box solution that The Campaigner would see instantly. Better decision making happens when we invite these different perspectives into the conversation.

How to build a decision-making framework

You don't need a complex system to make better choices; you just need a repeatable process. Start by defining the problem clearly. Often, we fail because we are solving the wrong issue. Ask yourself: 'What is the one thing that, if solved, makes everything else easier?'

Next, gather your data – but set a limit. Analysis paralysis is the death of progress. Give yourself a 'data deadline'. Once that time is up, you work with what you have. This is particularly important for The Doer, who wants to get things finished but might rush if the objectives aren't concrete. Setting a clear timeframe ensures that quality isn't sacrificed for speed.

Finally, consider the 'pre-mortem'. Imagine it is six months from now and the decision you made has failed spectacularly. Why did it happen? This simple mental exercise helps you identify risks you were previously ignoring because you were too excited about the potential upside. It’s a technique used by some of the most successful leaders to ensure they aren't flying blind.

Developing the courage to choose

At the end of the day, better decision making requires a level of vulnerability. You have to accept that you might be wrong. The fear of being 'too something' – too loud, too quiet, too risky, too cautious – often holds us back from making the calls that actually matter. But here’s the truth: most decisions aren't permanent. They are experiments.

When you use a tool like Hey Compono, you start to see these choices as part of a larger growth pattern. You learn to trust your instincts because you finally understand where those instincts come from. You stop trying to emulate a leadership style that doesn't fit and start leaning into the one that does. Whether you are The Advisor seeking compromise or a leader needing to be more directive, the power lies in your self-awareness.

Better decision making isn't a destination; it's a muscle. The more you exercise it by making small, intentional choices that align with who you are, the stronger it gets. You’ll find that the 'paralysis' starts to fade, replaced by a quiet confidence that even if the outcome isn't perfect, your process was sound.

Key takeaways for better choices

• Know your type: Understanding your work personality helps you identify your natural decision-making style and blind spots.
• Watch for bias: Be aware of confirmation bias and sunk cost fallacy – they are the most common traps in professional choices.
• Set data deadlines: Avoid analysis paralysis by giving yourself a strict timeframe for gathering information.
• Use pre-mortems: Visualise failure before it happens to identify hidden risks in your current plan.
• Embrace the experiment: View decisions as learning opportunities rather than final, unchangeable verdicts.

FAQs on better decision making

What is the most common mistake in decision making?

The most common mistake is over-reliance on a single perspective, usually our own. We tend to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs rather than challenging them. Incorporating different personality types into the process can help mitigate this.

How can I make decisions faster without losing quality?

Set 'thresholds' for your choices. If a decision is reversible and low-stakes, make it quickly. If it is irreversible and high-stakes, use a structured framework. Time-boxing your research phase also prevents unnecessary delays.

Does personality really affect how we make choices?

Absolutely. Your personality dictates what you prioritise – whether it's logic, people, risk, or structure. Recognising your default setting allows you to consciously 'flex' into other styles when the situation requires it.

How do I handle the regret of a bad decision?

Focus on the process, not just the outcome. If your process was sound based on the information you had at the time, the 'bad' outcome was likely due to external factors. Use the experience to refine your framework for next time.

Can better decision making be taught?

Yes, it is a skill that improves with self-awareness and practice. Tools that provide personalised coaching, like Hey Compono, can accelerate this growth by highlighting your specific patterns and providing actionable steps to improve.

Ready to understand yourself better?

• Get started: Start with 10 minutes free – no credit card required
• See how it works: Learn about personality-adaptive coaching