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Case Study

Six strategies for making better decisions under pressure

By Michael D. Watkins

9 pages

May 2025

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Reference: IMD-2676

This note presents a comprehensive framework for improving decision-making capabilities in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. It introduces six evidence-based strategies that help leaders maintain clarity, focus and effectiveness when facing complex decisions under stress. The note explores each strategy in detail: managing emotional responses, strengthening situational awareness, training for cognitive agility, using structured decision-making models, enhancing decision speed and practicing under pressure. For each strategy, it provides specific tools and practical applications, illustrated through the case study of AcuWave, a mid-sized consumer electronics firm navigating challenging product launch decisions. Key tools examined include emotional self-regulation techniques, the OODA loop for situational awareness, pre-mortem analysis for cognitive agility, weighted decision matrices for structured decision-making, the 40-70 rule for balancing speed and accuracy, and crisis simulations for practical application. The note emphasizes that effective decision making under pressure integrates emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and structured processes. This practical guide serves as a valuable resource for leaders seeking to develop more robust decision-making capabilities in fast-paced business environments. By implementing these strategies, leaders can improve their ability to assess high-stakes situations quickly, make sound judgments with confidence, and maintain team effectiveness even under volatile and uncertain conditions.

Learning Objective

Master techniques for managing emotional responses during high-pressure decision-making scenarios
Develop the ability to overcome biases and mental traps in high-pressure decision-making situations
Balance intuition with data-driven models to improve decision quality under pressure
Implement strategies to optimize decision speed without sacrificing accuracy

Keywords

Decision Making, General Management, Emotional Regulation, Leadership

Type

Generalized Experience

Available Languages

English

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