Not All Decisions Are Created Equal
Over the past few weeks, I’ve unpacked four types of thinking – task, tactical, operational, and strategic – each suited to different types of decisions and with different levels of impact.
Now, I’m bringing it all together in a simple tool built to highlight what most people miss:
👉 “Not all decisions are created equal.”
It takes different thinking for different decisions – to get better results. That’s not widely recognised or understood – and it’s limiting business owners more than they realise.
The Better Thinking Matrix ™
I wanted to fix that. That’s why I created the Better Thinking Matrix.
I wanted to highlight the need for different thinking for different decisions – and make it easy for business owners to know what type of thinking to choose.
All it takes is answering two simple questions:
- What’s the potential impact of this decision?
- What’s the period of impact of this decision?
Then map your answers onto the matrix below to identify the right type of thinking for any decision. The result? More clarity, better thinking, greater confidence – and better results.
This isn’t just about being more efficient, effective, or productive. It’s about getting unstuck, unlocking potential, and making real progress. Less stress. More success. Always better.
See below for two graphics of the Better Thinking Matrix™. The first one gives you examples of decisions suited to each type of thinking. The second one shows the four types of thinking, the potential impact of each, and best pace for each decision.
👉Better Thinking Matrix: Thinking Types & Examples of Decisions
👉 Better Thinking Matrix: Thinking Types, Potential and Pace
Try it out: 5 Simple Steps to Better Decisions
- Choose a decision you need to make.
- Ask: What’s the potential impact? (Low, Medium, High).
- Ask: What’s the period of impact? (Short, Medium, Long term).
- Plot your answers on the Matrix & draw a line to see where they meet.
- Let the thinking and pace of that quadrant guide your decisions.
TIP: Match your pace to your purpose …
… Tactical moves? Quick decisions are great for short term gains.
… But strategic moves? They deserve more time and thought.
“Slowly is often strongly.” – Andrea Green, Artist.
If you give the matrix a try this week, I’d love to hear what it sparked – whether it clarified a decision, gave you a new angle, or just made you think differently – and better.
“All models are wrong, but some are useful.” – George Box, British Statistician.
The Better Thinking Matrix isn’t perfect, but if you found it useful, and want to learn more or think it could be better, I’d love your feedback. Flick me an email. I will reply to every message.
Next week I’ll be changing gears and shifting our focus from better thinking to the big picture and what a ‘strategy’ can add if your goal is to get to the next level of business.
Cheers,
Geoff
