Invited by Sama and the team at PwC Middle East to present a masterclass on business and strategic decision making to PwC's leadership team and its Middle East clients.
Matthew GriffinFounder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
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Sama and the team at PwC Middle East invited Matthew to present a masterclass on business and strategic decision making to PwC's leadership team and its clients across the region. The aim was practical: help leaders make better business decisions, faster.
In an average day each of us makes up to 35,000 decisions. Most happen autonomously, but 5% of them, more than 1,700, need some form of cognitive intervention. That load takes its toll, leading to decision fatigue, decision paralysis and, worst of all, not making a decision at all and kicking the proverbial can down the road time and time again.
"In an average day each one of us will make up to 35,000 decisions, and 5% of them, or over 1,700, require some form of cognitive intervention."Matthew Griffin, Virtual, February 2025
Matthew examined the two key types of decision making, intuitive and deliberate, and the causes of, and solutions to, what he calls ‘Decision Traps’.
The main body of the masterclass, the pièce de résistance, was where he shared his own tips, along with a few best-kept industry secrets, to help everyone, whatever their ability, background or title, make better, smarter decisions in both their personal and professional lives.
311 Intelligence
What this means for your leadership team
Protect thinking time for the decisions that matter.
Only 5% of daily decisions need real thought. Leaders who spend attention on the rest suffer decision fatigue.
Make not deciding a visible choice.
Matthew called not making a decision the worst outcome. Teams should track decisions that keep getting pushed back.
Prepare for decisions shared with machines.
As more decisions move to AI systems, leaders need to know which ones still need human judgement.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
Which decisions do we keep putting off, and what does that cost us?
Which of our decisions are intuitive, and which need deliberate thought?
Which decisions are we ready to hand to AI systems?
The trends and technologies behind this session
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
The load is high. Up to 35,000 decisions a day, with more than 1,700 needing thought, leads to decision fatigue and paralysis.
What is algorithmic decision making?
The 311 Starburst tracks organisations handing more decisions to AI systems while trust and regulation struggle to keep up. It expects wide use around 2029.
How will managers lead mixed human and AI teams?
Managers are starting to direct AI agents alongside people, and firms are redesigning teams around both. The 311 Starburst rates this Prepare.
How can 311 brief our leadership team on this?
Through a private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector, in person first.
Bring this to your leadership teamA private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. In person first, anywhere in the world.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s session and 311 data.
If Matthew gave this session today
Develop your own scenarios and turn them into strategy.
Strategic Foresight for Leaders brings together the latest foresight methods so leaders can develop their own scenarios and turn them into strategy, a structured way to make better decisions about the future.
