Common difficulties
Some common difficulties faced in making decisions and implementing them are as follows:
i. Incomplete information
This is a major problem for every manager. Lack of information leaves a manager adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Not only this, most decisions involve too many complex variables for one person to be able to examine all of them fully.
ii. Unsupporting environment
The environment –physical and organizational-that prevails in an enterprise affects both the nature of decisions and their implementation. If there is all round goodwill and trust and if the employees are properly motivated, the manager is encouraged to take decisions with confidence. On the other hand, under the opposite circumstances he avoids decision making.
iii. Non-acceptance by subordinates
If subordinates have a stake in the decision or are likely to be strongly affected by it, acceptance will probably be necessary for effective implementation. On the other hand, subordinates may not really care what decision is reached. In such situation, acceptance is not an issue. Democratic leadership style which encourages subordinates to suggest, criticize, make recommendations or decide upon policies or projects is an effective device for gaining their acceptance and commitment.
iv. Ineffective communication
Another important problem in decision making is the ineffective communication of a decision. This makes implementation difficult. The manager should, therefore, take care to communicate all decision to the employees in clear, precise and simple language.
v. Incorrect timing
In decision making, the problem is not merely of taking a correct decision. It is also of selecting an appropriate time for taking the decision. If the decision is correct but the time is inappropriate, it will not serve any purpose. For example, if the manager wants to decide about introducing a new product in the market, he should take the decision at a correct time. Otherwise he may lose the market to his competition.