Welcome to

The Decision-Making Studio

We believe that decision-making is a superpower. The space it occupies lies between action and uncertainty. It is where individuals and organisations can navigate towards the future they want. However, it is also a space that can cause confusion, anxiety, and be the source of poor performance. That’s where we come in. We empower choices in an uncertain world. 

In a nutshell:

At the Decision-Making Studio we help our clients make decisions with confidence and calm.

Big decisions can feel daunting. If you are an individual looking for some help on an important decision, or if you are looking to get better at the skill of decision-making, we can help.

If you are a leader in an organisation and are looking to have greater confidence about an upcoming big decision you or your team needs to make, we can also help with that.

And if you want your organisation and your people to get better at decision-making, and embed great decision-making in everything you do, our approach may be exactly what you have been looking for.

Check out our free Simple Guide to Making Great Decisions which introduces our proprietary FOCUS framework by signing up for updates. You should also check out our podcast with tons of great insights from insightful and influential thought leaders and practitioners on decision-making.

One-Off Decision Navigation

Tailored direction on a specific big decision you want or need to make.

Decision Compass

Training in our proven decision-making method so that you can make great decisions all the time.

Testimonials

'Ben is one of the key figures in my career path - thanks to his always being one step ahead in supporting & challenging constructively key decisions I put myself and my leadership teams on the line. At BT we worked together on strategic projects such as Brexit planning & modeling our presence in China and his technical and thought leadership made all the difference to effectively stress corporate resilience – working with him was brilliant.'

Tommaso Santoro, Risk Management Director, BT Global

I’ve known Ben both as a dedicated martial artist and an entertaining podcast host, but I was delighted when Ben agreed to co-teach my course on decision making and behavior-based safety to graduate students at Yale. Ben has a fantastic grasp of the subject and a gift for communicating, making decision science relevant and applicable to the students. I turned to Ben again when I was looking for a way to elevate the quality of conversation around decision making amongst those in leadership positions in live entertainment, and Ben was absolutely the right person for this role. His presentation at the United States Institute of Theatre Technology Conference was completely on point, with humor and substance and some fantastic take-aways. Ben Cattaneo is an innovative problem solver and strategic thinker, with an expert grasp of the subject but a thirst to learn more. I look forward to working with Ben again in the near future.

Anna Glover – Director of Theatre Safety, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale

Frequently Asked Questions

Why decision-making?

Decision-making encompasses almost everything we do. It is a life skill and the lifeblood of how well any organisation functions. And yet, almost none of us ever receive any formal training on what great decision-making looks like nor are our organisations designed with great decision-making in mind. The tools and techniques we use to make decisions are often not fit for purpose. This represents a huge opportunity. Decision-making can be a ‘superpower’, and we are here to help you harness it. Learn more and start your journey with us today

Why Decision-Making 'Studio'?

Because we work with our clients collaboratively. We recognise that we don’t make decisions like robots and that we have to explore the possibilities together. Like an artist might, we don’t know where exactly that will lead us, otherwise we would already be there. Great decisions involve scientifically-proven methods applied to a human context. That’s why they’re hard, and that’s why we’re here.

Why can decision-making be so hard?

Lots of reasons – but one of the most important ones is that our brains are wired to crave certainty and decision-making is often the critical point at which action meets uncertainty. This creates a lot of ways in which we can get decision-making wrong. For instance, we can get confused by something called outcome bias – that is, judging if a decision was the right one only by its outcome. Outcomes can occur because of luck, good or bad. So, we need to know when we are ‘lucky or good’ or ‘unlucky and bad’.  All this gets even harder when we start talking about groups of people. Say goodbye to confusion and anxiety and say hello to clarity and confidence by working with us.

Don't all great decision-makers 'go with their gut'?

No! Not at all! Intuitive, ‘get-feel’ decision-making is proven to NOT work, except for specific, repeatable contexts applied over many years by people with deep expertise and experience in a specific thing (for instance, a surgeon who has done thousands of the same surgery). For most decisions, however, ‘going with your gut’ is very poor advice. That doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t ‘listen’ to your intuition or gut instinct (we are all for that), but deciding on a hunch is a recipe for trouble.

So, what does great decision-making look like?

Great decision-making is all about making the best possible decision we can at the time we make the decision, using the information we have. It should make us feel calm and confident, regardless of the outcome. That’s not easy, which is why it is so rare. 

We can’t analyse every decision we make, can we?

No, we can’t and we shouldn’t try! That’s true of most decisions we make. What we can do though is to understand which decisions we can make very quickly and even automatically and design tools and systems so that we can free up time and energy to focus on the small number of truly ‘big’ decisions we need to make.

What’s an example of a common decision-making challenge?

We often view decisions as binary choices, weighing the pros and cons before taking action. While this approach may suffice for some decisions, it falls short when it comes to high-stakes choices. We often neglect to consider the alternative of not taking any action or continuing with our current course. This failure to recognise the significance of maintaining the status quo is known as the status quo bias – a tendency to favor familiarity. Although change is undoubtedly challenging when we incorporate the status quo into the equation and explore other potential options, a world of exciting possibilities emerges. At The Decision-Making Studio, we can assist you in uncovering these opportunities.

What are the benefits to working with you?
Working with The Decision-Making Studio brings a host of benefits to individuals and organizations alike. For individuals, our expertise and proprietary FOCUS framework can increase the chances of achieving desired outcomes in important decisions. Whether it’s a life-changing career move or a major investment, our tailored guidance brings clarity, options, and reassurance. Moreover, we offer skill-building opportunities to enhance decision-making abilities across all aspects of life. As for organizations, we help make critical, high-stakes decisions with confidence and precision. Our strategic support extends to embedding great decision-making practices throughout the organization, optimizing performance, and identifying and resolving blind spots. Join us today and experience the power of informed choices.
I am an individual with a big decision coming up. How can you help?

If you have a big, high-stakes decision to make (for instance, a life or a career decision), our FOCUS framework can provide you with clarity around that decision, possibly provide you with options you didn’t know you had, and some reassurance. We can also help you get better at making decisions overall or in a particular aspect of work or life. Find out more here or get in touch for a free short consultation.

How can you help my organisation?

We can help your organisation with a big, individual decision it needs to make (for instance, a large investment, merger, organisation change or similar). We can also help embed great decision-making into your strategy or operations. We have a lot of experience doing both of these things. We can also help your organisation spot blind spots or other weaknesses in the way it currently makes decisions – perhaps decisions your organisation makes are donetoo slowly, and other too quickly. Find out more here or get in touch for a free short consultation.

What makes your approach unique?
There are a lot of approaches to decision-making and a lot of fabulous research on the topic. However, there are few proven methods that combine theory with years of practice. Similarly, there are few approaches that integrate the rational, analytical side of decision-making with the factors that make us uniquely human. We combine these to empower great choices under uncertainty.

For Individuals

Looking to unlock your decision-making superpower? At The Decision-Making Studio, we believe that decision-making is the key to navigating uncertainty and achieving your desired future. Whether you’re facing a major life change or seeking guidance on a big investment, our tailored approach empowers you to make confident choices. Say goodbye to confusion and anxiety, and hello to clarity and confidence. Discover our proprietary FOCUS framework and start your journey towards exceptional decision-making today. Learn more and sign up for updates to receive our free Simple Guide to Making Great Decisions. Let us help you harness the power of informed choices.

For Organisations

At The Decision-Making Studio, we offer a range of services to help organizations navigate the complex world of decision-making. Whether your organization is facing a critical choice, looking to improve decision-making operational, financial or strategic performance, or seeking clarity on decision-making processes within teams, we’ve got you covered. Our expert guidance and proven methodologies empower you to make decisions with confidence and calm. With our support, you can enhance decision-making skills, embed great decision-making practices, and optimize overall performance. Take a step towards exceptional decision-making and unlock the potential of your organization with The Decision-Making Studio. Contact us today to learn more.

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