Decision making is an integral process of each day of our life. We take 100s of decision in a day — few within fraction of seconds, few take months; few in impulse, few after a lot of thinking and reasoning; few personal, few professional.

This is not in reference to this learning — the decision taken in seconds or on impulse, but the later part which takes lot of thinking, reasoning.

Over the time if one learns the art of thinking strategy referred as integrative thinking, one will naturally use the same in every decision he makes.

In process of making a decision we often don't know what to do. Our first impulse is usually to determine which is right by the process of elimination, which is wrong. Nothing is wrong in the process, but today what appears right could be leading to eliminating a right by stating it wrong.

Let us see, where are probable possibilities in stages of decision-making where we tend to eliminate wrong which could be a brighter right.

There are four stages when it comes to decision-making. These are:

Determining Possibilities: The first step is figuring out which factors to take into account when considering an issue. Often one tends to discard as many as possible or not even consider some of them in the first place when considering an issue, considering it will help to narrow down to most possible solution as well reduce time involved, very importantly assuming it will make things easy.  Remember complexity should be kept at bay.

Analysing causality: After defining possibilities, one applies a filter of relationship with each possibilities, based on assumptions, past references and experience. One might not be aware of the terminology called linear regression but we use it often while analysing possibilities.

Envisioning the decision: Every decision is a result of combination of events, actions, decisions. One often breaks down a problem into independent pieces and work on them separately or in a certain order.

Achieving resolution: All the above three, leads to an alternative which one accepts assuming it as the best possible alternative, even if one might not be cent percent satisfied. It is accepting between either and or.

The complete decision-making process can be seen in a different light:

• Determining Possibilities: Considering all possibilities and multiple opportunities even if it involves complexity and time.
• Analysing causality: Looking at the glass not only as half filled or half empty, but thinking out of the box - encouraging innovation, new ideas, challenging status quo.
• Envisioning the decision: Seeing the entire jigsaw puzzle — how the various parts of it fit together, how one decision will affect another.
• Achieving resolution: Thinking beyond of either and or. Starting back the entire thought process again even if it takes more time, delay in decision making and adding efforts.

There are opportunities to explore at every junction — why miss it by seeing things through the same lens. Explore the world of possibilities — use the integrative thinking. There are various tools to facilitate integrative thinking.

The writer is Ajay Sharma, Future of Work Strategist, Founder, Flexiorg.com