Understanding Common Decision-Making Pitfalls and Strategies to Overcome Them
Decision-making can be tricky, especially when sneaky mental traps (aka”heuristics“) push you toward choices that aren’t really in your best interest. Heuristics are mental shortcuts that help us process information quickly, but they can also lead us astray by oversimplifying complex decisions. I’ve seen it time and again with professionals I coach — it’s so easy to fall into these traps without even realizing it. I’ve pulled out 3 common decision traps from this classic HBR article, and if any of these resonate, I’ve added a challenge question to help you rethink next time you’re at a decision point.
The Anchoring Trap
This occurs when you put too much weight on the first bit of info you get, which then influences everything that follows.
Challenge question:
“Are you basing your decision on a broad set of info or letting that first piece of data lock you in?”
The Status Quo Trap
We all love comfort zones, but this trap keeps you stuck on what you know instead of exploring alternatives — often to avoid risk or change.
Challenge question:
“If you weren’t already on this path, would you still choose it?”
The Sunk Cost Trap
This happens when you stay the course simply because you’ve already invested time or resources into it — even though it might not actually be the best option anymore.
Challenge question:
“If you hadn’t already invested anything yet, would you still be doing this?”
These traps are common pitfalls for leaders and professionals. When you care about the impact your decision has on your business, team, career, or personal life, it’s crucial to take a pause and rethink decisions with fresh perspectives.
