I might be a Bull

Ever been in a meeting where the decision felt obvious to you, but every step forward seemed blocked by questions, concerns, or hesitation?

It might not be the decision itself - it could be that your decision-making style is clashing with others on your team.

Roger Dawson in his book Confident Decision Making cleverly categorises decision styles into animals:

Bulls

Pragmatic and confident, they act quickly on facts and preconceived beliefs.

Bulls are assertive and decisive, often saying, “Strike while the iron is hot.”

Bloodhounds

Analytical and cautious, they rely on facts and observations rather than feelings.

Bloodhounds gather as much data as possible and deliberate carefully, with the motto, “Let’s not jump into this; we need more data.”

Eagles

Enthusiastic and extroverted, they focus on feelings and intuition.

Eagles are creative and people-focused, quick to act, and often exclaim, “This idea sounds like fun!”

Bees

Amiable and non-assertive, they make decisions based on feelings and observations.

Bees value harmony and struggle with change, often asking, “Will we all be comfortable with the decision?”

As a Bull, I want to move forward. But my Bloodhound teammate? They need clarity. What might feel like stalling to me is their way of ensuring no important detail is overlooked. Meanwhile, the Eagle brings bold energy and excitement, and the Bee ensures the team stays aligned and comfortable.

The truth is, we all have all four styles within us. One may feel more natural, but your environment or situation can draw out a different approach.

Understanding these styles helped me reframe tension - not as disagreement, but as differing approaches. It’s not about who’s right or wrong. It’s about balancing strengths for the best outcome.

What’s your decision-making style?