Assalaamu Alaikum,
First a quick update, right now the MT team is going through an evaluation analysis. We’re taking a step back from MT looking at the market, at our team, where we want to go, and renewing our intentions. At the end of the evaluation we will decide whether or not we are going to continue. If MT was swimming we would have our feet dangling in the water, this analysis will help us decide to dive in head first or dry off now. Make dua that we make a decision that will help us in this world and the next.
It only seemed fitting that since we are making a huge decision that we talk about making decisions as our first MTBT topic. The decision-making process can be evaluated in ways:
- The decision making process.
- The strength of the decision made.
Unfortunately, it seems that MSAs and other Muslim organizations (yes, MT included) fail at both levels routinely. Why is that? Well, sometimes it is due to poor planning, organization politics, and a myriad of other reasons. One big reasons is that we were never taught how to make decisions. Most of us probably learned through observation and experience (I touch the stove -> I get burnt -> I decide to touch the stove only when I want to get burnt.) But as we can see in the world today, just because a child was parented doesn’t mean that they will be a good parent; the same holds with decision making.
Here are a few ways to look at making decisions: cost-benefit analysis, domino effect, lesser of two evils, and finally we ask that you submit novel ways of making decision – share the wealth!
Cost-Benefit Analysis: I think this has its roots in Economics. Each individual is self-serving in economics, it would make sense that the self-serving individual would never make a decision that has a cost greater than the benefit gained from enacting a decision. You do this all the time casually, say you are at Jamba Juice – you are deciding between a small or medium…after comparing prices, your desire for Jamba Juice at the given time, and size of the different cups you decide on the small. Apparently the medium’s cost was larger than the benefit you’d receive from the additional ounces. You probably use this decision making process the most without realizing it.
Domino Effect: Think of this as the Butterfly Effect, if I do x then y and z may happen. This is type of decision making process is really good when working with other peoples. For example, you’re on the executive board of a committee and you’re the project leader of an event. The event needs one design chairperson and you’re under strict instruction that it can not be co-chaired (co-chairing is typically a bad idea anyway) and both Ahmed and Aminah want the job! The domino effect helps when making this decision, if Ahmed is chosen then this will be the likely outcome which will lead to this which will affect the event like so and Aminah will feel like this . . . so on and so forth. It can also be used for complex individual decisions too.
Lesser of Two Evils: Presidential elections anyone. . .? This works best in that cache-22 moment. Undesirable situations no matter what you decide, you just have to ‘bite the bullet’ as they say.
Your decision making process: Let us know!
No one likes being the decision maker because you’re responsible for the outcome (well, only if the outcome is bad) – deal with it, things need to get done and decisions need to be made. Try to include different opinions and people in the process but do not let that slow you down; be strict about deadline.
Whatever role you play at work or in a volunteer organization was given to you because someone trusted that you could handle the accompanying decisions. This trust is fragile, make sure that you think about big decisions wisely, ask for help when needed – only when needed, and trust in Allah after you’ve tied your camel. Oh, I almost forgot you can always pray istikharah when indecision faces you! It is a good idea to do so even if you know what you want to decide and I should start following my own advice – inshAllah.
A quick Z3 on decision making:
- Think it out and back it up. There are the obvious results of you action and the not-so-obvious results, remember them both. Also get ready to back up your decision with reason and rationale behind it, otherwise you could be exposed for not thinking and grilled.
- Decide.
- Evaluate. Did you make the right decision? Do you need to make any immediate adjustments? What was wrong with it? How can you learn from it? Have you made similar decisions in your life? Why?
I’ll give you an update on the evaluation analysis and our decision. Keep us in your dua.
Salaam.Z.
