In a laboratory, a bad decision is expensive. It costs time, reagents, and sometimes, the integrity of a study. Yet, when faced with a crisis, many leaders default to "gut instinct" or rush to a solution just to make the problem go away.

In the webinar "Make No Mistake: The Three Components of Decision Making," author and leadership consultant Annette Dubrouillet argues that this reactive approach leads to "Defective Decisions." We make poor choices not because we are unintelligent, but because we let what we lack (time, data, or patience) drive what we think we need.

If you find yourself constantly revisiting the same problems or "fixing" previous solutions, this session offers a way out. Dubrouillet introduces her concept of Deliberate Decisions™—a structured approach to ensure you are solving the right problem with your best brainpower.

Here are the core concepts from the presentation that will change how you lead your lab.

The Anatomy of a "Defective Decision"

Why do smart people make bad calls? Dubrouillet identifies that most errors stem from focusing on the wrong drivers.

• The Scarcity Trap: We often make decisions based on what we don't have (e.g., "We don't have time to do a full search, so buy the first option").
• The Personality Trap: Without a process, the decision is driven by the loudest voice in the room or the leader's specific personality quirks, rather than objective fact.
• The Result: A "Defective Decision" that treats the symptom but ignores the disease, forcing you to waste resources fixing it later.

The Solution: Deliberate Decisions™

To break this cycle, you need a framework. Dubrouillet outlines a Seven-Step Process that forces the brain to slow down and engage with the problem logically.

• Focus & Structure: By standardizing how you approach problems, you remove the emotional volatility from the equation.
• Solving the Right Problem: The biggest waste of time in a lab is executing a perfect solution for the wrong issue. The webinar details how to validate your problem statement before you ever brainstorm a solution.

The Three Critical Actions

While the full webinar breaks down the specific components of decision-making, the core takeaway is the need for balance. A good decision is a tripod that must stand on:

• Fact/Data: The objective reality of the situation.
• Process: The logic used to analyze the data.
• People: Understanding how the decision impacts the human element (often the most overlooked component in technical environments).

Watch the Full Framework

You can't "wing it" when it comes to leadership. In the full presentation, Annette Dubrouillet breaks down the four major types of Defective Decisions and gives you the specific tools to avoid them.

Watch the full webinar below to upgrade your decision-making toolkit:

Key Takeaway

As you watch, look for the section on "The 7-Step Process."  It serves as an excellent checklist for your next staff meeting. If you can’t walk your proposed solution through all seven steps, it might be a defective decision waiting to happen.

 Presenter: Annette Dubrouillet

Annette Dubrouillet works with groups and individuals who want to make the best decision the first time. Annette is the author of Make No Mistake: How to make the best decision the first time, which is available directly from Annette or through amazon.com.