From the Business Performance Management (BPM) Forum comes a news release with the following headline: Study Cites Lack of Data, Leadership Problems and Ill-Defined Processes as Major Factors behind Decision Dysfunction. Here's an excerpt that defines the scope of the problem the study defines.

"More than 40 percent of respondents said their companies have 'significant" shortcomings' when it comes to making decisions."

That's a lot of companies with problems. The Forum suggests some causes.

"The lead root causes of poor decision-making fall primarily in the corporate arena. They are identified as:  Poorly defined processes and practices; Unclear corporate vision, mission and goals; Unwillingness of leaders to take responsibility; A lack of reliable, timely information."

There's another one. In many companies the culture is that making decisions can get you in trouble.  After all, you might be wrong, or, worse, offend some senior executive. The result is managers who spend their time looking busy instead of being effective.

If you want to improve your decision making, you'll find lots of help and insight in Michael Useem's book The GO Point.  I've just reviewed The GO Point on the Three Star Leadership Site.

Wally Bock has helped people learn to be great bosses for more than a quarter century. His latest book, Performance Talk: The One-on-One Part of Leadership, makes learning key leadership principles almost effortless by teaching through a story and providing lists of resources for further growth.

Here's a list of articles we've recently added to the Three Star Leadership site.

Why do managers find it difficult to fire poor performers?
Firing poor performers is one of the toughest jobs any manager has to do. Lack of good training makes it even harder.

So now you're the boss
When you get promoted from individual contributor to boss, lots of things change in your life. Some are good and some are bad. Understanding the changes can help you become an effective boss sooner and set you on the road to becoming a great one.

Why most leadership training is a waste of money and what you can do about it
Companies waste millions on leadership programs that train the wrong people using the wrong methods and then don't check to see if anyone actually learned anything. It doesn't have to be that way.

Cargo Cults and Management Practice
Many companies adopt the management practices of successful companies without understanding why the practice succeeds where it is and whether it will succeed in their own companies. That's magical thinking just like the cargo cults used in the period right after World War II.

Are Leaders Born or Made?
Are leaders born or made? After centuries of debate and decades of research we know the answer. Leaders are sort of born and always made. Here's what you need to know to select and develop quality leadership bench strength.

What do workers really want anyway?
The people who work for you are more likely to stay and more likely to do a good job, if some basic, common-sense, human needs are met. There are things that workers want that you can deliver and that will make a difference in morale and performance. Here are some of them.

So you want to get promoted?
To climb to the top of the corporate ladder you need to consistently deliver great result, but that's not all. You also need to find ways to develop both your skills and your reputation.

What Great Supervisors DO Differently
Great supervisors get great results because they do certain, specific things. Once you know what they do, you can do the same things and get the same results.