Decision Making StylesThe decision-making process is one of the most important skills of today's leading managers. Forces and influences depending on the work environment and the type of organization influence this process. The ability to make wise decisions will also play an important role in your personal life. This process involves four (4) different decision-making styles: the democratic style, the autocratic style, the collective – participatory style and the consensual style. The correct use of any of these styles can determine the success or failure of a manager and, therefore, the organization. Thinking styles give you very powerful techniques to help you understand yourself and others. It is ideal in work situations where strong relationships are essential to success. In a team environment, an understanding of the cognitive and linguistic behavioral dynamics that operate within the team can be very valuable in helping you work more effectively with your colleagues. (1997, Thinking Styles. www.consultingtools.com). Cognitive dynamics involves mental processing and thinking that takes place individually and in teams. Linguistic dynamics are the words and language patterns that people use, and behavioral dynamics of thinking styles are the behaviors that result from the way a person thinks. (1997, Thinking Styles). With understanding of these dynamics and knowledge of the concept of critical thinking, which involves awareness of a set of interrelated critical questions, the ability to ask and answer critical questions, and the desire to actively use critical questions. (1990, Browne M., Kaplan R., Critical Thinking) The decision-making process involves: recognizing and defining problems, evaluating the effect of the problem, identifying the causes of the problem, defining alternatives, evaluating the impact, make the decision, evaluate the decision, and measure the results of the decision. With this information in mind, you can make a wise decision. Influences and forces can have an effect on the decision-making process. Many forces such as gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, race, economic status, and ethics will make a difference in how a manager makes the decision. The manager's position with regard to information, the quantity and type of information available, mentalities and filters of perception, organizational structures. and the procedures, as well as the power relations between the actors, will influence the way in which the manager makes the decision. Managerial decisions have been and will continue to be the product of judgment, luck as well as expertise..