Recognising Decision Patterns
How did I actually come to this decision?
Not every decision is made consciously. Often, we follow team dynamics or act out of habit - without noticing.
But when we recognise these patterns, we can change them. And by changing them, we open space for new perspectives and better decisions.
Why look back?
In the past issues, we explored clarity, strong decision-making, and strategic orientation:
What really matters to me?
How do I recognise meaningful goals?
What is intuition, what is resistance?
How does real decision power arise?
All these questions point inward and forward.
This issue takes a different direction: We look back. Not with regret, but to gain insight … because strategic thinking also means understanding how I make decisions - and why some decisions support me while others cause inner conflict.
How did this decision actually happen?
Sometimes things happen fast. The decision feels automatic. There is no time to pause or reflect. At some point it just happens - a project, a job change, a quiet ‘yes’ to something you’ve been carrying ever since. Perhaps you recognise yourself in this.
I call them autopilot decisions.
They just happen - not necessarily wrong, but often unreflected.
Looking back can help us make inner decision-making patterns visible:
Did I consciously decide - or did I simply go along?
In which situations do I tend to act automatically?
What was my true intention behind this decision - or non-decision?
Was there a moment when I could have changed course?
When I explore my decisions in this way, they become a strategic resource.
Decision patterns in teams
This kind of reflection is just as valuable in teams.
Often the real question is not only what was decided - but how the decision came about.
In collaborative work, we see recurring dynamics:
For example:
Every time a certain colleague is absent, the decision-making process changes noticeably. Suddenly more ideas emerge, different perspectives are voiced, problems are addressed more openly - the group feels a sense of relief.
Or:
If someone shares their opinion first, others quickly align with it - often without challenge, almost automatically.
And then there are the unwritten rules:
‘We’ve always done it this way.’
‘That’s just how things work around here.’
These phrases often function as unspoken ground rules. They offer orientation and a sense of stability - which can be helpful. But they become problematic when they’re no longer open to question. When new perspectives are dismissed or inquiries are seen as disruptive, reflection stops. And with it, the possibility of strategic thinking.
Recognising these moments is not about assigning blame - rather they are valuable clues that reveal how decision quality is shaped not just by content, but by process.
What can I do when I notice these patterns in my team?
The goal is not to change them overnight. The first step is to become aware of them - and to make them visible.
This might mean asking a simple question:
‘Is there a reason we do it this way - or is it just something that evolved over time?’
Offering an invitation to reflect:
’What might happen if we tried a different approach this time?’
Creating a space where new ideas can be shared - without judgment and acknowledging what the old routine has offered - and then asking:
’Is it still the right approach for now?’
Reflection through the lens of existential analysis
Strategic reflection also connects with the four fundamental motivations from existential analysis:
Did I feel inner security - or was I driven by pressure?
Was there a sense of aliveness - or was I simply functioning?
Was it authentic for me - or mainly something I did for others?
Was I connected to my values and what I truly want to contribute?
Questions to reflect on this week
When was the last time I was surprised by the consequences of a decision?
What patterns do I notice when I look honestly at my decisions?
What would I do differently today - not out of regret, but because of what I’ve learned?
Strategic thinking in real life also means:
Understanding how I decide.
Not just pushing forward, but pausing to look back.
Not out of guilt - but from a desire for clarity and growth.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
