Avoiding Decision Fatigue

Bad decisions aren't usually about intelligence or experience⁣. ⁣ They're about making choices without a clear process⁣. ⁣ The best leaders don't have perfect judgment. ⁣ They have reliable systems that guide them toward better choices consistently⁣. ⁣ Here are 8 frameworks that turn decision-making from guesswork into strategy:⁣ ⁣ 1: The Reverse Advocate Protocol⁣ ↳ Assign someone to argue against your choice before finalizing any major decision.⁣ ↳ Challenging your own bias reveals blind spots and strengthens your final choice.⁣ ⁣ 2: The Energy Drain Audit⁣ ↳ Evaluate how much mental and emotional energy each option will require ongoing.⁣ ↳ High maintenance decisions often fail because they exhaust you before creating results.⁣ ⁣ 3: The Up/Down Impact Chain⁣ ↳ Trace how your decision will influence decisions that come before and after it.⁣ ↳ Single decisions create cascading effects that multiply their importance beyond immediate outcomes.⁣ ⁣ 4: The Constraint Liberation Test⁣ ↳ What would become possible if this decision removes your biggest current obstacle.⁣ ↳ The best decisions don't just solve problems they unlock entirely new opportunities.⁣ ⁣ 5: The Identity Alignment Filter⁣ ↳ Consider which option moves you closer to who you want to become as a leader.⁣ ↳ Decisions shape identity over time, and identity shapes all future decisions.⁣ ⁣ 6: The Network Effect Multiplier⁣ ↳ Evaluate how each choice affects your access to people, information, and opportunities.⁣ ↳ Great decisions don't just create direct value, they position you for better future decisions.⁣ ⁣ 7: The Teaching Test Framework⁣ ↳ Ask which decision you'd be most comfortable explaining and defending to your team.⁣ ↳ Choices you can't teach or justify usually indicate unclear thinking or misaligned values.⁣ ⁣ 8: The Pattern Break Analysis⁣ ↳ Identify whether this decision continues existing patterns or creates new ones.⁣ ↳ Sometimes the best choice is the one that breaks you out of cycles that aren't serving you.⁣ ⁣ What's one framework you use?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ 💚 Follow Hetali Mehta, MPH for more.⁣⁣⁣⁣ 📌 Share this with your network.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ 👇Subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eFPeE4gQ

Your research findings are useless if they don't drive decisions. After watching countless brilliant insights disappear into the void, I developed 5 practical templates I use to transform research into action: 1. Decision-Driven Journey Map Standard journey maps look nice but often collect dust. My Decision-Driven Journey Map directly connects user pain points to specific product decisions with clear ownership. Key components: - User journey stages with actions - Pain points with severity ratings (1-5) - Required product decisions for each pain - Decision owner assignment - Implementation timeline This structure creates immediate accountability and turns abstract user problems into concrete action items. 2. Stakeholder Belief Audit Workshop Many product decisions happen based on untested assumptions. This workshop template helps you document and systematically test stakeholder beliefs about users. The four-step process: - Document stakeholder beliefs + confidence level - Prioritize which beliefs to test (impact vs. confidence) - Select appropriate testing methods - Create an action plan with owners and timelines When stakeholders participate in this process, they're far more likely to act on the results. 3. Insight-Action Workshop Guide Research without decisions is just expensive trivia. This workshop template provides a structured 90-minute framework to turn insights into product decisions. Workshop flow: - Research recap (15min) - Insight mapping (15min) - Decision matrix (15min) - Action planning (30min) - Wrap-up and commitments (15min) The decision matrix helps prioritize actions based on user value and implementation effort, ensuring resources are allocated effectively. 4. Five-Minute Video Insights Stakeholders rarely read full research reports. These bite-sized video templates drive decisions better than documents by making insights impossible to ignore. Video structure: - 30 sec: Key finding - 3 min: Supporting user clips - 1 min: Implications - 30 sec: Recommended next steps Pro tip: Create a library of these videos organized by product area for easy reference during planning sessions. 5. Progressive Disclosure Testing Protocol Standard usability testing tries to cover too much. This protocol focuses on how users process information over time to reveal deeper UX issues. Testing phases: - First 5-second impression - Initial scanning behavior - First meaningful action - Information discovery pattern - Task completion approach This approach reveals how users actually build mental models of your product, leading to more impactful interface decisions. Stop letting your hard-earned research insights collect dust. I’m dropping the first 3 templates below, & I’d love to hear which decision-making hurdle is currently blocking your research from making an impact! (The data in the templates is just an example, let me know in the comments or message me if you’d like the blank versions).

The world's most valuable skill is critical thinking. Here are 3 decision-making frameworks that will save you dozens of painful hours trying to learn critical thinking for yourself: 1. Chip and Dan Heath's WRAP Framework The measure of a good decision isn't the outcome you produce, but the process you use to make it. Learning this completely changed the way I thought about decision-making, and the importance I placed on process. According to the Heath Brothers, you can overcome common decision biases like narrow framing, confirmation bias, short-term emotions and over-confidence by using these four steps for every significant choice you make. W - Widen your Options R - Reality Test Your Assumptions A - Attain Distance P - Prepare for the Worst. --- 2. Greg McKeown's Essentialism Framework Hang this up in your room somewhere—and stare at it everyday. Greg McKeown, in his book Essentialism, makes the case that the highest point of frustration occurs when we're trying to do everything, now, because we feel like we should. In order to reach the highest point of contribution, we need to do: The Right Thing, at The Right Time, for The Right Reason. When we focus on these three variables, we don't waste time and energy on activities and decisions that aren't a right-fit.  --- 3. Tim Ferris' Fear-Setting Framework I consider this the gold-standard of strategic risk management and contingency planning. Important decisions will always come with risks, consequences and unforeseen problems. Instead of trying to eliminate the negative and plan for the best, Ferris advises people to complete a pre-mortem that simulates potential responses. By drawing up a three column table with: The worst things that might happen The steps you can take to prevent those The ways you will respond if they do happen You're able to prepare for a more pragmatic future, rather than being thrown off course at the first unexpected obstacle. For more information on fear setting, and some useful downloads, check out Tim's blog here. These three frameworks completely changed the way I thought about decision-making, and the support I was able to offer leaders in developing the skills they needed to keep tricky programmes on track. I hope they're useful for you. #leadership #decisions #NotAnMBA

Ever notice how some people stay mentally sharp, even as they age?   What these sharper individuals demonstrate is increased cognitive reserve.   Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to improvise and find alternate ways of getting a task done. It is closely related to the resilience of the brain and pertains to its capacity to sustain damage (due to aging or other factors) without displaying evident functional impairments in cognitive functioning.   This mental resilience can make a world of difference as we age. But how can we actively build and maintain this cognitive reserve?   Contrary to popular belief, brain training games or so-called ‘cognitive training’ programs aren’t the solution   In 2008, Lumos Labs released their cognitive training program ‘Lumosity’ which they claimed could prevent brain aging and the onset of age-related dementia. One issue? They had no evidence to support their claims and were fined $2 million by the Federal Trade Commission for deceiving consumers. Not cool, Lumos!   Many have turned to brain training programs like Lumosity, hoping to preserve their cognitive abilities. However, research has shown that brain training games make you better on those specific games but they don’t help improve memory, attention, perception, or planning more generally.   So, what does work? Research suggests that a variety of engaging, everyday activities can help boost and maintain cognitive reserve. Here are some proven strategies:   👉 Lifelong Learning: Engage in educational activities, such as learning a language, taking up bridge or playing an instrument.   👉 Regular Exercise: Engage in physical activities like walking, gardening, yoga, or any other exercise to promote blood flow to the brain. 👉 Socialise: Engage in regular social activities to stimulate your mind and maintain emotional health.   👉 Motor Skills Development: Learn activities that require fine motor skills, such as painting, plumbing or sewing.   👉 Nutrition: Adopt a diet rich in fruits & vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.   👉 Sleep Well: Ensure adequate and quality sleep, crucial for cognitive functions and memory consolidation.   Have you tried any of these activities to boost your cognitive reserve? What’s your favourite way to keep your brain active? 

Effective AI augmentation of human decision-making requires clarity on the specific role of AI relative to humans. An interesting research study used two different AI agents - ExtendAI and RecommendAI - each optimized to play different roles in a financial investment decision process. The findings give useful insight into both the design of AI tools to augment human decisions, and how we deliberately choose to use AI to enhance our decision competence. 🧠 ExtendAI encourages self-reflection and informed decisions. Participants who used ExtendAI—an assistant that builds on users' own rationales—spent more time reflecting and revising their plans. They made 23.1% of trades that diverged from their original ideas, showing that feedback embedded in their own reasoning helped identify blind spots and improve diversification and balance. ⚡ RecommendAI sparks new ideas with low effort. RecommendAI, which directly suggests actions, led to a 45% adoption rate of its recommendations. It was perceived as more insightful (67% vs. 52% for ExtendAI) and easier to use, requiring half the time (8.6 vs. 17.5 minutes) compared to ExtendAI. 🧩 Feedback format impacts trust and comprehension. ExtendAI’s suggestions, interwoven into the user's rationale, were found easier to verify and interpret. Participants felt more in control (76% vs. 71% trust) and reported that it “supports how I’m thinking” instead of dictating actions. RecommendAI, by contrast, sometimes felt like a “black box” with unclear reasoning. 🌀 Cognitive load differs by interaction style. Using ExtendAI imposed more cognitive effort—an average NASA-TLX score of 57 vs. 52.5 for RecommendAI—due to the need for upfront reasoning and engagement with nuanced feedback. This reflects the trade-off between deeper reflection and ease of use. 💡 Users want AI insights to be both novel and relatable. Participants valued fresh insights but were most receptive when suggestions aligned with their reasoning. ExtendAI sometimes felt too similar to user input, while RecommendAI occasionally suggested strategies users rejected due to perceived misalignment with their views or market context. 🧭 Decision satisfaction and confidence diverge. Despite feeling more confident with RecommendAI (86% vs. 67%), participants reported higher satisfaction after using ExtendAI (67% vs. 43%). This suggests that while direct suggestions boost confidence, embedded feedback might lead to decisions users feel better about in hindsight. More coming on AI augmented decision making.

The Conscious Decision-Making Framework Timeless Wisdom. Backed by Modern Science. (For leaders under pressure) When decisions feel urgent, it’s easy to react. But what if your sharpest decisions didn’t come from speed - …but from conscious clarity? Here’s a 6-step decision framework rooted in timeless wisdom and backed by modern science: 📘 1: The Values Compass "It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." – Roy Disney → Check value alignment → Consider long-term ripple effects → Evaluate trade-offs 🧪 Value-aligned decisions boost satisfaction and reduce stress. 📘 2: The Future Lens "Begin with the end in mind." – Stephen R. Covey → Visualize a year ahead → Anticipate consequences → Test assumptions 🧪 Future visualization increases follow-through by 3×. 📘 3: The Information Matrix "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance -it’s the illusion of knowledge." – Stephen Hawking → List knowns and unknowns → Identify biases → Seek diverse perspectives 🧪 Diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time. 📘 4: The Power of Pause "Between stimulus and response, there is a space... In that space is our power to choose." – Viktor Frankl → Take 3 conscious breaths → Name your emotions → Create mental space 🧪 Even a 50-100 ms pause can significantly improve decision accuracy. 📘 5: The Action Bridge "The worst thing you can do is nothing." – Theodore Roosevelt → Make a clear choice → Set a simple action plan → Define review points 🧪 “If - then” plans can double your chances of follow-through. 📘 6: The Wisdom Loop "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." – Henry Ford → Document your thinking → Track outcomes → Reflect for growth 🧪 Decision journaling improves future judgment and learning. Conscious decision-making isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. Save this for your next high-stakes moment. Which of these 6 steps do you most need to lean into right now ? 📚 Explore more concepts in my book - The Conscious Choice ♻️ Repost to rehumanize how we lead. 🔔 Follow Bhavna Toor for more on conscious leadership.

Batch Processing in Data Engineering What is Batch Processing? - Imagine you're running a busy restaurant. - At the end of each day, you need to count your earnings, update inventory, and prepare reports. - You wouldn't do this after each customer - that would be too disruptive. - Instead, you wait until the restaurant closes and process everything at once. This is essentially what batch processing does with data. Batch processing is a way of processing large volumes of data all at once, typically on a scheduled basis. It's like doing a big load of laundry instead of washing each item separately as it gets dirty. How Does Batch Processing Work? Let's break it down into simple steps: 1. Collect Data: ↳ Throughout the day (or week, or month), data is gathered from various sources. ↳ This could be sales transactions, user clicks on a website, or sensor readings from machines. 2. Store Data: ↳ All this collected data is stored in a holding area, often called a data lake or staging area. 3. Wait for Trigger: ↳ The batch process waits for a specific trigger. ↳ This could be a set time (like midnight every day) or when a certain amount of data has accumulated. 4. Process Data: ↳ When triggered, the batch job starts. ↳ It takes all the stored data and processes it according to predefined rules. This might involve:   - Cleaning the data (removing errors or duplicates)   - Transforming the data (like calculating totals or averages)   - Analyzing the data (finding patterns or insights) 5. Output Results: ↳ After processing, the results are stored or sent where they're needed. ↳ This could be updating a database, generating reports, or feeding data into another system. 6. Clean Up: ↳ The processed data is marked as complete, and any temporary files are cleaned up. Why Use Batch Processing? 1. Handle Large Volumes: ↳ It's great for processing huge amounts of data efficiently. 2. Cost-Effective: ↳ Running jobs during off-peak hours can save on computing costs. 3. Predictable: ↳ You know exactly when your data will be processed and updated. 4. Thorough: ↳ It allows for complex, comprehensive analysis of complete datasets. When Might Batch Processing Not Be Ideal? 1. Real-Time Needs: ↳ If you need up-to-the-minute data, batch processing might be too slow. 2. Continuous Operations: ↳ For 24/7 operations that can't wait for nightly updates, other methods might be better. Real-World Example Let's say you're running an e-commerce website. Here's how you might use batch processing: 1. Throughout the day, you collect data on sales, user behavior, and inventory levels. 2. Every night at 2 AM, when website traffic is low, you run a batch job that:   - Calculates daily sales totals   - Updates inventory counts   - Identifies top-selling products   - Generates reports for the marketing team 3. By the time your team arrives in the morning, they have fresh reports and insights to work with.

**What to Delegate? Everything!** As leaders, one of the biggest challenges we face is the art of delegation. We often hear that we should delegate tasks, but what if I told you the key to success is to delegate everything? Delegation isn’t about passing off work you don’t want to do. It’s about empowering your team, building trust, and focusing on what only you can do. Here’s why you should consider delegating everything: 1. **Maximize Productivity:** By delegating tasks, you free up your time to focus on high-impact activities that drive the business forward. Your team members can take on tasks that match their skills and interests, leading to higher efficiency and productivity. 2. **Develop Your Team:** Delegation is a powerful tool for professional growth. When you delegate, you provide opportunities for your team members to learn, develop new skills, and gain confidence in their abilities. This not only enhances their job satisfaction but also prepares them for future leadership roles. 3. **Enhance Decision-Making:** When team members are involved in various aspects of the business, they gain a broader perspective. This diversified experience allows for more informed decision-making and innovative solutions to challenges. 4. **Boost Morale and Engagement:** Trusting your team with important tasks shows that you value their contributions. This trust boosts morale, increases engagement, and fosters a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. 5. **Focus on Strategic Leadership:** As a leader, your primary role should be strategic planning and vision. By delegating operational tasks, you can concentrate on long-term goals, stakeholder relationships, and driving the company’s mission forward. 6. **Avoid Burnout:** Trying to do everything yourself leads to burnout and reduces your effectiveness. Delegation ensures that workload is evenly distributed, maintaining a healthy work-life balance for everyone. **How to Delegate Effectively:** 1. **Identify the Right Tasks:** Not everything can or should be delegated. Focus on routine, time-consuming tasks that don’t require your unique expertise. 2. **Choose the Right People:** Match tasks to team members based on their skills, experience, and development goals. This ensures tasks are completed efficiently and to a high standard. 3. **Provide Clear Instructions:** Be clear about your expectations, deadlines, and any specific requirements. Provide the necessary resources and support to set your team up for success. 4. **Trust Your Team:** Once you’ve delegated a task, step back and let your team handle it. Trust their judgment and avoid micromanaging. 5. **Give Feedback and Recognition:** Provide constructive feedback to help your team improve and recognize their efforts and achievements. This reinforces positive behavior and encourages continuous improvement. #Leadership #Delegation #Teamwork #Productivity #ProfessionalGrowth

Are you the bottleneck slowing down your company’s growth? I once worked with a founder who asked me, “Why does everything feel like it’s stuck on my desk?” On the surface, he was the perfect leader: sharp, decisive, and committed. But every decision, every approval, every strategy ran through him. His team was capable, but they were waiting. And the longer they waited, the more frustrated they became. Think about it: when every decision, approval, and strategy runs through you, it may guarantee quality but it also creates delays, dependency, and frustration across your teams. The cost was invisible at first: a delayed product launch, a missed partnership, missed market opportunities, a leadership pipeline that never got the chance to stretch. Eventually, it showed up in lost deals and morale. And he isn’t alone. Research confirms what I’ve seen in real time: Studies reveal: - CEOs with strong delegation skills drive 33% more revenue - High-delegating CEOs grew 1,751% in 3 years vs. 1,539% for low delegators - Yet fewer than 20% of leaders are confident in their delegation abilities The message is clear: delegation isn’t optional, it’s the engine of scale. That's why I  built the RELEASE Framework™: not theory, but as a way out of this bottleneck, a system that leaders can actually execute: → Recognize – Identify what you shouldn't be doing and stop holding on out of habit → Explore – Assess who on your team is ready to step up and own more → Learn – Give them clarity, context, and the resources to succeed → Enable – Grant real authority and the tools to act independently → Allow – Step back. Trust the process. Micromanagement kills momentum → Sustain – Build feedback loops and recognition systems to keep things moving → Evolve – As capacity grows, delegate strategic work and elevate your impact The founder I mentioned earlier? He made the shift. Slowly at first, then with conviction. Within months, his calendar was 30% lighter, his team was moving on their own, and most importantly, they stopped looking at him for every answer. They started thinking like owners. Because - Delegation isn't about losing control. It's about multiplying it by others. For leaders and boards alike, the real question is: are you multiplying impact through others, or still trying to hold it all yourself? #Leadership #Delegation #Scaling #Founders #CXO