Decision Making:  How Much Autonomy is Too Much?

Many clients tell me they can’t get the attention of their boss, but aren’t always sure they should proceed without approval.  Making decisions on your own when you can't get a decision from your boss can be handled effectively with a few guidelines.

You can expand your responsibilities by articulating the criteria you used to make the decision. Your boss can then edit or amend your thinking.

Often, capable busy managers, especially entrepreneurs, have put many processes on mental auto-pilot in order to be able to handle the requirements of the new day. This is efficient in some ways, but it leaves the manager unable to articulate the steps involved in those things he or she is good at, just like it would be difficult to describe to someone over the phone how to tie a shoe, or to teach your teenager to drive. Tying and driving are so automatic it's difficult to share all the mental steps with a new person.

I would recommend approaching your manager with an offer like this, "I'd like to be able to be even more helpful and take on some of the tasks you aren't able to get to. I made a decision about [a new vendor, a new hire, new equipment]. Is this a good time to ask your opinion about how I made that decision?" This accomplishes several things. It establishes a common goal, for you to be more helpful. That's good for job security. Second, it reminds the boss that you are expanding your responsibilities, therefore your value. And third, it enables you to learn from the boss. Even poor managers have intelligence and expertise and are likely to have an opinion.

Then, articulate the criteria. For example, "I considered the alternative uses, the small chance of that happening, the cost of local warehousing, and the possibility of donating it for a tax deduction. Here are the reasons I made the choice I made. Are there other factors you would have also considered?"

Agree on categories of decisions, and get some buy-in from the manager about which ones you should handle independently vs. which ones you need approval. In my experience managers find these four to be most useful:

• Decisions of this category I will make on my own and not bother you.

• Decisions of this category I will make and implement and later inform you.

• Decisions of this category I will assess and bring my recommendation to you, with my pro and con thinking, for your approval before implementation.

• Decisions of this category I will give to you.

With a poorly organized manager you may not be able to conduct this meeting at one sitting, but over time, you can summarize what has actually happened using these categories. Knowing that you can take on more decisions and yet will consult him or her when appropriate will be a big relief to the beleaguered boss. Managers who are already skillful will immediately appreciate your clarity and responsibility.
 
Originally published in the on-line Wall Street Journal.