All decision-making is about the future, isn’t it? And the future is unpredictable. That’s what makes decisions so difficult. An opinion piece in Business Day on 10 November 2025 highlighted the perils of decision-making in investments. (businessday.co.za)
But it’s not just about billion-dollar trading floors. Even simple decisions can go wrong. Plans for tomorrow might fail if the weather changes overnight, despite all the apps. Your hospital plan, medical aid, or insurance might fall short when you need it most. Even a mattress with a “10-year guarantee” can unravel in a year, leaving you negotiating with a corporate panel over a two-inch strip of stitching.
The stakes rise when considering financial decisions. Fund managers and administrators sometimes make catastrophic mistakes—or quietly let staff “chisel away” at hard-earned savings. As the Business Day article notes:
“The message … is that even with perfect knowledge of the future, our best analysis can still lead to incorrect decisions.”
Technology doesn’t solve it either. Kim Kardashian recently admitted that relying too heavily on AI contributed to her failing a law exam:
“It has made me fail tests… all the time. Then I’ll get mad and yell at it.” (iol.co.za)
The newspaper added that it’s admirable for her to openly admit the mistakes. “Her persistence is admirable, and her willingness to admit mistakes, even those involving AI, is a refreshing reminder that technology isn’t a shortcut to mastery.”
So how do we improve our decision-making? Here are five foundational ways.
1. Define the Real Problem
Focus on the underlying issue, not just symptoms. Know exactly what you’re deciding and why it matters.
2. Gather, But Don’t Overload
Collect diverse, high-quality information. Use AI or other tools as a starting point, not a final authority.
3. Map Consequences
Consider best-case, worst-case, and most-likely outcomes. Anticipate what could go right, wrong, and in-between.
4. Consult Values and Gut
Data is vital, but your values and instincts guide decisions. If something feels off, pause and investigate.
5. Decide, Then Own It
Commit after careful consideration. Monitor outcomes, adapt as needed, and learn from both successes and failures.
Whatever you do before making a decision, do some checks and balances and even speak to somebody who might be better informed than you are. You’re not always going to make the right choice, but at least you’ve tried as best you can.
Sources
• Freidus, Dani. “Do asset managers really have the skill to predict accurately?” Business Day, 10 Nov 2025. Link
• “Kim Kardashian blames ChatGPT for failing her law exams.” IOL, 5 Nov 2025. Link
