Wilkins' 4 Types of Decision Makers

There are four main types of decision making categories that any given person can fall into. Leslie T. Wilkins, a British criminologist who studied human behavior, looked at how these styles affected the way a person makes a decision. Some people tend to over-analyze a decision while others make decisions spur of the moment. Other people are focused on the end result while some people are interested in the process and smaller goals used to get there. Wilkins theorized that the information people take in and how they process that information have an impact on the types of decisions those people make. Whatever your decision making style, there are things you can do to make it work for you.

Pragmatic

• A pragmatic decision maker is focused on the end result of his decision. These people want to be in control and do not stand for indecisiveness. Pragmatic decision makers focus on facts rather than feelings and want to know how each decision and its outcome will impact their lives. A pragmatic decision maker is concise and to the point in his approach to making choices.

Visionary

• A visionary decision maker looks at the big picture and uses creativity to influence her decision making process. Visionary decision makers look for new and interesting ways to make decisions and focus on how those choices make other people feel rather than just considering the facts. They want to know how a certain idea or decision can help them achieve a larger goal. Visionary decision makers respond well to flexibility and humor when it comes to making choices.

Consensus-Seeking

• Consensus-seeking decision makers want to be sure every person involved and affected by a decision is happy with the end result. They tend to focus on all the details needed to make a decision, sometimes to the point that they lose focus of the end result. Consensus-seeking decision makers work in close collaboration with other people to make sure the decision is appropriate for and meets everyone's needs. They have a tendency to give into the demands of others but later regret it.

Analytical

• Analytical decision makers review every aspect of a decision before making it. They check, then double check facts and want as much information as possible to assist in making the best decision. Analytical decision makers need to be able to justify why and how the decision they are making will work. They need to examine every detail before putting a decision into practice, as they are uncomfortable with unpredictable situations.