Every organization has key people who influence important decisions. A decision maker, the person with the authority to decide, plays a crucial role in shaping a company’s strategy and success. Their decisions can affect the company’s direction and its relationships with partners. In this article, we’ll look at who can be a decision maker and how much weight their decisions carry.

Who is a decision maker?

A decision maker is a person who has the authority to make decisions about an organization or a project. This person is responsible for making choices that determine the company’s direction and future. Different types of decision makers vary by level of authority and the focus of their decisions, ensuring effective organizational management.

Different types of decision makers in an organization

There are various types of decision makers in an organization, each focused on specific areas. Top executives, such as CEOs and CFOs, have broader decision-making powers, while middle managers can decide on more specific operational matters. Each department has its own roles focused on specific tasks, such as marketing or production decisions. Different powers lead to effective management.

Differences between positions with decision-making authority

Decision-making authority depends on one’s position in the organizational hierarchy. Some roles can make decisions only at the operational level, while others can influence the organization’s strategic direction. For example, a creative director focuses on innovation and design, while a CFO focuses on budgets and costs. This difference in authority determines what decisions a person can make.

The role of the creative director and other decision makers

The creative director plays an indispensable role in decisions about the overall direction of creative and design projects. This decision maker is responsible for shaping the company’s visual identity and influences not only aesthetics but also the functionality of products and marketing materials. The creative director must coordinate different teams to ensure all creative outputs align with the organization’s overall goals.

• They are a key driver of innovation and growth in design, advertising, or product development.
• The creative director decides how to balance the technical and creative aspects of projects.

Other examples of decision makers in different areas

Organizations also include other important decision makers who specialize in different areas. For example, the CTO decides on the implementation of new technologies and ensures the efficiency of IT infrastructure. The CMO is responsible for choosing communication channels and sets the direction for all marketing activities, from campaigns to market analysis. The financial decision maker focuses on budgets and investment decisions that directly impact the organization’s financial health.

• Each of these decision makers influences a different aspect of the company’s operations.
• Together, they contribute to the overall success of the organization.

How to communicate effectively with a decision maker

Communicating with a decision maker requires specific skills that ensure successful meetings. Active listening is a fundamental element that helps you understand what factors influence the decision maker’s choices.

• The ability to present key ideas in a few clear points.
• Respecting the decision maker’s time frame and focusing on relevant information.

How to present information and proposals to decision makers

When presenting proposals and information, the emphasis is on efficiency and clarity. A decision maker needs a clear idea of the pros and cons of a decision. Backing up your case with data and facts is essential. Presenting different scenarios and their potential impacts helps decision makers assess the situation from multiple perspectives.

• Focus on benefits and propose concrete solutions instead of just highlighting problems.
• Use visual aids to make complex information easier to understand.

The importance of strategic communication for achieving positive outcomes

Strategic communication helps turn proposals into concrete actions, leading to successful outcomes. Communication must be tailored to the decision maker’s needs and style, which increases the chances of achieving the desired result.

• Adapt the communication style to the decision maker’s personal preferences.
• Build relationships to create mutual trust and openness in negotiations.

Recommended reading: what should you pick up?

To wrap up, here are six books to help you dive deeper into the topic.

• The Effective Executive, Peter Drucker – a classic on effective management that shows how to focus on key tasks, delegate properly, and make decisions with real impact.
• Good to Great, Jim Collins – an analysis of successful companies that reveals why some organizations prosper long-term while others stagnate, and what principles and strategies lead to lasting excellence.
• Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman – a fascinating look into how the human mind works, explaining how intuitive and analytical decision-making influences behavior and how to avoid common cognitive errors.
• The Art of Strategy, Avinash Dixit & Barry Nalebuff – a guide to strategic thinking based on game theory that helps you anticipate competitors’ moves, act effectively, and make advantageous decisions.
• Leadership and Self-Deception, The Arbinger Institute – a book about how distorted perception affects leadership, communication, and workplace relationships, and how to see situations more objectively and act more effectively.
• Measure What Matters, John Doerr – a practical guide to OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) that shows how to set goals effectively, track progress, and achieve better results in business and personal life.

Useful links:

1. https://www.breakcold.com/explain/decision-maker
2. https://www.gartner.com/en/sales/glossary/decision-maker