Musings from the CU Suite

Written by Anthony Demangone

Just back from NAFCU's Management and Leadership Conference, I wanted to share a wonderful tool that John Spence shared with the class.  It is the four levels of decision making. When he went through the tool, you could see scores of people furiously scribbling down notes so they could bring it back to their office.

We've all seen it before. Organizations bog down because people do not know what decisions are theirs. This system erases that confusion.  Here are the four levels, in John's own words:

Level 1 = Delegation

This is the kind of decision that I do not need to be involved in at all. You do not need to tell me about it – just make the decision completely on your own and implement it right away. You own this decision.

Level 2 = Discussion

Talk to me, or someone else in the organization, to get input, information and suggestions, but make the decision completely on your own. You also own this decision.

Level 3 = Consensus

On a decision like this let’s get the team together and talk it through. Let’s get everybody’s ideas, expertise and input, then we will make the decision together as a management team. We all own this decision together and will do whatever the team agrees is the best course of action.

Level 4 = My Call

A level 4 decision is ultimately my choice as the leader.  I will get everyone’s input, ideas, suggestions and expertise. We will talk it through together. But at the end of the day I will make this decision for the entire organization and it will be completely my responsibility. I own this decision 100%.

Please read John's article, as he talks about how this system transformed his office. 

What do you think it could do for your office?