A New Framework for Ethical, Confident Decision-Making with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn - 82
What if the key to better decision-making isn’t just gathering more data but learning how to think differently about the data you already have? In this episode of Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell interviews Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, investigative journalist turned decision science expert, to explore the radical power of intentional decision-making through her proprietary AREA Method. With a background writing for the New York Times and Harvard Business Review, Cheryl brings a journalist’s scrutiny and a visionary’s creativity to the question that haunts leaders and entrepreneurs alike: “How do I know I’m making the right call?”
Whether you’re facing a career pivot, launching a new venture, or navigating high-stakes decisions in uncertain times, Cheryl’s step-by-step system challenges the mental shortcuts we all rely on and replaces them with deeper insight, ethical clarity, and practical tools to guide you forward. From her five “Problem Solver Profiles” to the dangers of cognitive bias, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom for anyone looking to lead with courage and clarity.
This episode will change how you make decisions. Forever.
What You Will Learn
How to recognize and counter cognitive biases that impact your decision-making.
Why ethical clarity is essential in both journalism and leadership decisions.
What the AREA Method is and how each step supports better outcomes.
How to apply a structured process to complex personal or professional choices.
The five “Problem Solver Profiles” and how they shape the way people approach problems.
Why understanding others’ decision-making styles improves collaboration and communication.
How to use a pre-mortem to anticipate failure and strengthen decisions before execution.
The importance of collecting verifiable data and diverse perspectives before acting.
How your internal leadership and values influence external choices.
Where to access tools and assessments to discover your own problem-solving style.
Why skipping steps in research and analysis leads to flawed conclusions.
Why decisions fail when people rely too heavily on “mental shortcuts.”
How to create space for better insights by thinking critically about your assumptions.
What it means to explore versus exploit ideas when weighing decisions.
How leaders can balance creativity and data when making visionary moves.
Why collaborative decision-making requires understanding what others value in a choice.
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Resources
Be Heard by Millions and Live Your Destiny: A Creative Age Leader’s Guide to Speak, Sell, Serve & Succeed by Anjel B. Hartwell