In today’s volatile and complex business landscape, the ability to make sound decisions under pressure is the hallmark of a great leader. This training course is designed to equip executives with the strategic mindset and analytical tools to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty with confidence. We will move beyond intuitive judgments to a systematic approach, exploring how to gather critical information, evaluate risk, and choose the optimal path forward when the future is unclear. This program is a vital resource for leaders committed to enhancing their decision-making prowess and guiding their organizations toward stability and success.

This intensive five-day program delves into the science of executive decision-making, providing a practical and hands-on experience for participants. You will learn to identify cognitive biases, use scenario planning to anticipate future outcomes, and leverage data to inform your choices. Through a combination of interactive case studies, expert-led discussions, and mock-decision exercises, attendees will develop the skills to transform chaos into clarity. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to lead with conviction, ensuring your decisions are both timely and effective, even in the most challenging environments.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• CEOs and executive directors
• Senior vice presidents and general managers
• Board members and corporate secretaries
• Strategic planners and policy advisors
• High-potential future leaders
• Risk managers and compliance officers
• Legal and governance professionals
• Executives responsible for strategic planning
• Entrepreneurs and business owners
• Academics and students of organizational leadership

Objectives:

• Grasp the core principles of executive decision-making under uncertainty
• Understand the cognitive biases that impact judgment
• Formulate a robust framework for complex decision-making
• Analyze and interpret data to inform strategic choices
• Develop a strategy for scenario planning and foresight
• Assess and mitigate the risks associated with uncertainty
• Lead a team through a complex decision-making process
• Interpret the role of ethics and values in decision-making
• Apply lessons from leadership case studies to your own organization

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Foundations of Decision-Making

• The distinction between intuitive and analytical decision-making
• The role of a leader in setting the decision-making process
• Understanding the concept of bounded rationality
• The importance of a clear problem statement and objectives
• The impact of uncertainty on a leader's confidence

Module 2: Cognitive Biases and Heuristics

• Identifying common cognitive biases in decision-making
• The impact of confirmation bias and anchoring
• The role of overconfidence and availability heuristics
• Strategies for debiasing your thought process
• The importance of a devil’s advocate in decision-making

Module 3: Strategic Information Gathering

• The value of a data-driven approach
• The role of qualitative vs. quantitative data
• The importance of a diverse range of information sources
• Managing information overload and analysis paralysis
• The art of asking the right questions

Module 4: Scenario Planning and Foresight

• The methodology of scenario analysis
• Developing plausible future scenarios
• The role of foresight in anticipating risks and opportunities
• Using scenarios to test and refine strategic options
• The importance of a forward-looking mindset

Module 5: Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• The distinction between known and unknown risks
• The role of a leader in assessing risk tolerance
• Developing a framework for risk mitigation
• The use of stress testing and contingency planning
• The importance of a clear risk communication strategy

Module 6: Leading a Decision-Making Team

• Fostering an environment of psychological safety
• The role of a leader in managing group dynamics
• The importance of diverse perspectives and constructive debate
• Avoiding groupthink and encouraging dissent
• Communicating a difficult decision to the team

Module 7: Ethics and Values in Decision-Making

• The role of a leader's values as a decision-making compass
• Applying ethical frameworks to complex dilemmas
• The impact of corporate social responsibility
• The importance of transparency and accountability
• The long-term consequences of ethical choices

Module 8: Case Studies in Decision-Making

• Analyzing a successful crisis response
• Examining a business decision that led to failure
• The role of a leader in a technology disruption
• The impact of a geopolitical event on a corporate decision
• A deep dive into a real-world case study

Module 9: The Leader's Action Plan

• Developing a personal decision-making framework
• The importance of continuous learning and reflection
• Building a strong network of advisors
• A strategic roadmap for your leadership journey
• The role of a leader as a decision-making mentor

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.