Title: 8 Reasons Why People Make Irrational Decisions at Work
Headings: 8 Reasons Why People Make Irrational Decisions at Work
8 Reasons Why People Make Irrational Decisions at Work
Tamala Takahashi Follow
Owner/Consultant at High Bridge Solutions
Tamala Takahashi
Owner/Consultant at High Bridge Solutions

Content: This is probably one of the most common reasons for disagreements that seem to stem from someone making irrational decisions. If a colleague has information, but doesn't think it's as important as we do, they will make a very different decision than we would. For example, they know that a client wants a project done by a certain day, but they don't think it's important - maybe they don't think the client is high priority, they don't like the client, they have been late before with this client and it hasn't been a problem, or a myriad of reasons - they will not put as high of priority on it and end up making decisions that will delay the project. If two colleagues disagree on on what's important, then each other's behavior will seem irrational to the other. Each person is working with a different set of priorities. When both are expecting the other person to agree on the underlying values and goals, and they don't, it can cause conflict. Solution: Recognize that even in cases where the information is the same, everyone has a different value assessment for each piece of information. If we know they have all the information and they make a decision that seems counter intuitive, look at core values about the various aspects of the disagreement. Back up and create agreement on the goals and what's important first.