Shows
Ask a Decision EngineerS6E06 | What is the Society of Decision Professionals (SDP)?"At the heart of a company is the quality of its decisions. And it's rare that leadership programs teach you how to be a better decision maker." — SDP Conference AttendeeWhether you're a CEO making strategic decisions, a data scientist analyzing choices, or someone navigating personal decisions, the field of decision-making offers structured approaches that can be scaled up or down for any situation.S5E5 | What is SDP?This episode takes listeners inside the world of professional decision-making through Michelle's firsthand exploration of the Society of Decision Professionals conference. Through interviews with me...2025-07-0917 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS6E05 | Who else benefits from Decision Science?"On some level everybody should learn this stuff. When you think about the fundamental principles underlying this, like ideas like that decisions and outcomes are not the same thing... those are things that could benefit everybody." — Jordan StephensFrom boardrooms to family dinner tables, decisions shape every aspect of our lives. Yet formal decision-making education remains surprisingly rare. In this thought-provoking episode, Michelle explores who stands to benefit most from learning structured approaches to decision-making, revealing that the answer might be simpler than expected: everyone.S6E5 | Who else benefits from Decision Science?Dr...2025-07-0217 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS6E04 | How is Decision Science applied? (Part 2: Power Skills)"I tend to be more quantitative, just that's the way I'm wired. And one of the things that I'm seeing and I've learned through the years is that the qualitative side, the so-called soft skills, or as Audrey calls them power skills... honestly… I think they're more important than a lot of the quantitative and statistical skills." – Tony KenckWhile decision analysis is often viewed through a technical lens, there's another equally important dimension: the human side. This episode explores how decision frameworks create space for better collaboration, more inclusive conversations, and greater confidence in our choices.2025-06-2523 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS6E03 | How and where is Decision Science applied?"It's so fascinating to watch people struggle and struggle and struggle. And then you can come along with some simple tools to say, Hey, have you thought about this? Did you think of framing it this way? I've got a couple of little tricks in my large bag of tips and tricks that you can try and sometimes the magic happens and what looked like an impossibly complex decision simplifies, and then doing the right thing becomes obvious." — Basil StumborgThis episode showcases the real-world impact of decision analysis across diverse industries and applications, demonstrating how structured th...2025-06-1819 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS6E02 | What is Decision Engineering? Exploring the Many Names of Decision ScienceThis season was made possible in partnership with the Society of Decision Professionals.__________In this episode of Ask a Decision Engineer, Michelle Florendo takes listeners inside the Society of Decision Professionals conference to explore a fascinating question: What do you call the field that helps people make better decisions? Through conversations with practitioners from around the world, Michelle uncovers the many names this discipline goes by—decision analysis, decision science, decision quality, structured decision making—and why the terminology matters. From pharmaceutical companies to natural resources management, these professionals share their perspectives on a field that's been...2025-06-1115 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS6E01 | Who did I meet at the Society of Decision Professionals ConferenceThis season was made possible in partnership with the Society of Decision Professionals.__________In this mini episode of Ask a Decision Engineer, Michelle Florendo takes listeners behind the scenes of the 2025 Society of Decision Professionals Annual Conference in Vancouver. After years of virtual participation, Michelle finally attended in person and was amazed by the diversity of attendees who traveled from around the world to connect and learn about decision-making. From data scientists to graduate students to organizational culture experts, she interviews first-time attendees to understand what drew them to this "hidden gem" of a conference and...2025-06-0412 min
Ask a Decision EngineerSeason 6 TrailerI told someone I'd just flown in from a Decision Professionals conference.Their response? "A Society of WHAT?"Most people have no idea there's an entire field dedicated to decision-making.It's like this best-kept secret that no one wants to keep secret.At the conference in Vancouver, I met fascinating people who traveled from around the world: → A data analyst from Papua New Guinea seeking better frameworks → A graduate student from Colorado who discovered decision analytics→ A data scientist from New York finding academic backing for her...2025-05-2801 min
The BIG Strategy PodcastE052: The 3 Pillars of Great Decisions with Michelle FlorendoAs a decision engineer and executive coach, Michelle Florendo knows how to cut through complexity with a human-centred approach that just makes sense. In this episode, she sits down with Jeff Eyet to break down real-world frameworks you can use today, explore how AI is reshaping the way we make decisions, and share insights on turning smart strategy into real action.In this episode, we explore:The origins and principles of decision engineering as a disciplineFraming decisions for clarity, focus, and better outcomesThe three-legged stool: objectives, information, and optionsHow to generate creative options and avoid binary...2025-05-2051 min
Yellow Shelf PodcastAsk a Decision Engineer Podcast, host Michelle FlorendoA decision engineer is kind of like a mix between a data analyst, a systems thinker, and a behavioral scientist. Ask a Decision Engineer Podcast is a podcast for everyone! Not just engineers. Stanford-trained Decision Engineer & host Michelle Florendo invites listeners to explore the art and science of decision-making through a uniquely personal lens. This podcast helps us to make smarter, more consistent, & data-driven decisions. The podcast offers tools and processes to help us move through big decisions. Michelle is a highly success decision engineer and executive coach...2025-04-1606 min
Silicon Valley ImpactS2 E8 - AJ Thomas, Isabelle Johannessen and Michelle FlorendoIn this episode, we are joined by AJ Thomas, founder of Good Trouble Ventures, as co-host. Together, we dive into insightful conversations with Isabelle Johannessen, head of the Startup Battlefield Program at TechCrunch, and Michelle Florendo, a Stanford University educated decision engineer and executive coach.
Meet Our Guests:
🔹 Isabelle Johannessen leads TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield Program, the premier early-stage startup competition. She’s on a global search for the most innovative startups to feature at TechCrunch Disrupt (October 27–29), where 200 selected companies will compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize, media exposure, investor attention, and the coveted Disrupt Cup. Before TechCrunc...2025-03-041h 10
Career Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to make good decisions using logic and intuition with Michelle Florendo, Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast (Ep. 162) As we come to the end of the year, it’s a time where many of us are reflective on what happened in the past year and what we hope for in the new year. Studies show that 1 out of 4 people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them. And most people quit before the end of January. So to help you make better decisions and stay consistent with your goals, we chat with Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer and coach for Type-A professionals. Michelle has a BS in...2024-12-2443 minCareer Unicorns - Spark Your JoyHow to make good decisions using logic and intuition with Michelle Florendo, Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast (Ep. 162) As we come to the end of the year, it’s a time where many of us are reflective on what happened in the past year and what we hope for in the new year. Studies show that 1 out of 4 people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them. And most people quit before the end of January. So to help you make better decisions and stay consistent with your goals, we chat with Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer and coach for Type-A professionals. Michelle has a BS in...2024-12-2443 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS5E06 | The Relief-Regret Framework: Making Decisions Under Uncertainty"So remember, there are three components to every single decision. There are your objectives. What is it that you want? There are the options. What are the different ways that you can achieve those things that you want? And then there's information like how do those different options deliver against the objectives you have?" — Michelle FlorendoDrawing from her background in decision analysis and teaching experience at Stanford, Michelle shares how this framework evolved from complex decision trees into a more accessible tool for everyday use. She explains how the framework helps people who worry about making de...2024-12-1832 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS5E05 | Real Application to Big Life Decisions“Risk has two components: magnitude—how big is the badness—and likelihood. A balanced view helps us make better decisions.” - Michelle FlorendoMichelle reflects on the value of tools like decision trees and introduces the Relief-Regret Matrix, a framework she developed to evaluate future scenarios. Through this candid conversation, Michelle illustrates how thoughtful processes and clear priorities can guide us through life’s most difficult decisions.S5E5 | Real Application to Big Life DecisionsThis episode offers actionable insights for balancing risk, agency, and values in decision-making, providing listeners with tools to approach t...2024-12-1126 minAsk a Decision EngineerS5E04 | Decoding Emotions in Decision MakingBy distinguishing between acting from emotion and being aware of emotion, Michelle equips listeners with tools to embrace emotions constructively. This episode dives deep into the nuances of emotions in decision-making, making it an essential listen for anyone navigating big life choices.S5E4 | Decoding Emotions in Decision MakingThe episode unpacks this tension by exploring how emotions can act as signals rather than obstacles in decision-making. Drawing on years of coaching experience, Michelle offers actionable advice and frameworks to help listeners navigate their emotions, integrate insights, and move forward with clarity.Table...2024-12-0433 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS5E03 | The End-of-Life Retreat: Finding Clarity Amidst UncertaintyDrawing on her decision-making expertise, Michelle used frameworks and emotional clarity to create space for constructive conversations with her family during this challenging time.Table of ContentsIntroduction [00:00:00]A Year of Pause and Reflection [00:01:00]Planning an End-of-Life Retreat [00:05:00]Facilitating Emotional Clarity [00:08:00]The Four-Phase Framework for End-of-Life Planning [00:09:00]The Role of Emotions in Decision-Making [00:11:00]Decision-Making as an Ongoing Process [00:15:00]Practical Advice for Navigating Family Decisions [00:22:00]Honoring a Legacy of Agency [00:29:00]Introduction [00:00:00]This episode takes a deeply personal turn, offering a rare glimpse into how Michelle applied her professional insights to one of the most...2024-11-2731 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS5E02 | Why is Decision-Making So Hard? "So if you've ever had that thought. Asking, ‘Why is this so hard?’ And wondering, ‘Am I the only one?’ I want you to know. You're not alone. And it's not your fault." - Michelle FlorendoDecision-making is a fundamental part of our daily lives, yet many people find it increasingly challenging. In this episode, Michelle Florendo addresses a question from Jacob in New York about why decision-making feels so difficult and whether he's the only one who is having a hard time. S5E2 | Why is Decision-Making So Hard?Michelle shares her...2024-11-2026 min
Ask a Decision EngineerS5E01 | From Maternity Leave to 20,000 Listeners - Reflections on 5 Years of Decision Making PodcastingIn this special episode, Michelle Florendo reflects on five years of hosting "Ask a Decision Engineer." Joined by her friend Shanice Webb, Michelle shares insights about the podcast's evolution from a maternity leave project to an international resource for decision-making advice. They discuss overcoming fears, measuring impact, and the journey of adapting content to fit a global audience. Through moments of vulnerability, Michelle illustrates the importance of determination and continuous growth in her work."Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the determination that something else is more important." – Ambrose RedmoonWhat began as...2024-11-1322 minAsk a Decision EngineerSeason 5 TrailerNew episodes drop in Fall 2024 – subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Salesforce. She's been an adjunct lecturer at Stanford, helps train coaches as a faculty coach for Berk...2024-10-2301 min
Love, your Money - Wealth, Money, and Financial Advisor for Women246: How to Make Decisions with More Confidence (and Less Stress): A Conversation with Michelle Florendo“Can you just make the decision for me?” As an adult, it seems like life is a never-ending stream of choices. From little decisions like what’s for dinner to big decisions about your career or financial investments, the choices keep coming–and there rarely seems to be a “right” answer.I’m in regular conversation with clients about their financial choices and planning for life transitions. (Do I sell my company shares now or later? How much should I save for retirement? Can I afford to take this vacation or send my kid to that college...2024-07-2343 min
Reignite ResilienceNavigating Terminal Illness + Resiliency with Michelle Florendo (part 2)Send us a textWhen faced with life's toughest moments, how do you stay resilient? Decision engineer and coach Michelle Florendo joins us to unravel this intricate tapestry as she recounts the emotional journey her family embarked upon following her mother-in-law's terminal diagnosis. With heart and wisdom, Michelle illuminates the path to empowerment, drawing the line between what we can control and what simply concerns us. Together, we explore the creation of a structured support system, drawing from Michelle's personal revelations to aid others in nurturing resilience through the power of human connection and deliberate communication.2024-03-2824 min
Reignite ResilienceNavigating Terminal Illness + Resiliency with Michelle Florendo (part 2)Send us a Text Message.When faced with life's toughest moments, how do you stay resilient? Decision engineer and coach Michelle Florendo joins us to unravel this intricate tapestry as she recounts the emotional journey her family embarked upon following her mother-in-law's terminal diagnosis. With heart and wisdom, Michelle illuminates the path to empowerment, drawing the line between what we can control and what simply concerns us. Together, we explore the creation of a structured support system, drawing from Michelle's personal revelations to aid others in nurturing resilience through the power of human connection and deliberate communication.2024-03-2823 minReignite ResilienceDecision Engineering + Resiliency with Michelle Florendo (part 1)Send us a textSpring heralds a time of renewal, and what better way to embrace this season of change than by refining our decision-making skills with decision engineer and podcast host Michelle Florendo? Unlock the potential within and discover how the art of decision engineering can usher in clarity and reduce the stress often intertwined with choice-making. This episode traverses the powerful landscape of resilience, illuminating the ways informed decisions act as catalysts for personal growth and recovery from life's inevitable setbacks.Parenting is our first arena of exploration, where we consider the lasting...2024-03-2525 minReignite ResilienceDecision Engineering + Resiliency with Michelle Florendo (part 1)Send us a Text Message.Spring heralds a time of renewal, and what better way to embrace this season of change than by refining our decision-making skills with decision engineer and podcast host Michelle Florendo? Unlock the potential within and discover how the art of decision engineering can usher in clarity and reduce the stress often intertwined with choice-making. This episode traverses the powerful landscape of resilience, illuminating the ways informed decisions act as catalysts for personal growth and recovery from life's inevitable setbacks.Parenting is our first arena of exploration, where we consider the...2024-03-2524 min
Pivot with Jenny BlakeOn Decision Engineering and Evaluating Quality instead of Outcomes with Michelle FlorendoGood decision-making is not about omniscience or clairvoyance—it's more about resilience, according to today’s guest, decision engineer Michelle Florendo. “Decision-making is harder than ever before, and it's not your fault,” Michelle says. “People feel like they ‘should just know’ how to decide.”More About Michelle: Michelle Florendo is a decision engineer and executive coach who is passionate about teaching people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity, from the small, consistent microdecisions over time that governs how you show up as a leader to the big macrodecisions you make about what direction to take next in...2024-02-1134 minCareer Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 112: Repost: How to make good decisions with Michelle Florendo (Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast) Studies show that one out of four people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them. And most people quit before the end of January. To help you make better decisions, we’re resharing this episode with Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer and coach for Type-A professionals and the host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast. In this episode, we discuss: - How the intersectionality of our identities, such as being a woman and being Asian, impact our career decisions. - The...2024-01-0943 minCareer Unicorns - Spark Your JoyEp. 112: Repost: How to make good decisions with Michelle Florendo (Host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast) Studies show that one out of four people quit their New Year's resolution within the first week of setting them. And most people quit before the end of January. To help you make better decisions, we’re resharing this episode with Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer and coach for Type-A professionals and the host of Ask A Decision Engineer Podcast. In this episode, we discuss: - How the intersectionality of our identities, such as being a woman and being Asian, impact our career decisions. - The...2024-01-0943 min
The NewsWorthySpecial Edition: How to Decide? Decision Engineer is HereEven the smartest people can feel stuck when faced with a life-changing choice. So, let our guest today help you out! Decision engineer and executive coach Michelle Florendo shares the system she uses for less stress and more clarity, and she coaches one of our team members through a financial decision. Learn more about our guests: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/shownotes Sign-up for our bonus weekly email: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/email Become an INSIDER for ad-free episodes: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/insider This episode was sponsored by: CastleFlexx: http...2023-12-0923 min
Lisa Burke ShowHow to make a decision, 01/09/2023Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer, talks about her craft. Plus, Today Radio's Sarah Tapp tells us about the ongoing situation in her homeland of Hawaii.
The Craft of Decision-Making
I've wanted to talk to Michelle Florendo ever since I read about her work as a decision engineer. There are many times in our lives, personal and professional, when we are faced with very difficult decisions. Most of us are not 'taught' at school how to make a good decision, and there there is a whole science behind how to best make decisions with the information you...2023-09-0157 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E12 April Rinne on the Flux mindset for thriving in changeSo often in the midst of change or the unknown where our mind goes first is what are we going to do? But what if the key to being able to navigate change and uncertainty was less about doing, but rather a way of being? Today, I'm in conversation with April Rinne, a futurist, speaker, and author of the book, Flux: 8 Superpowers For Thriving In Constant Change, where she shares what she has found is the most effective way for navigating the current world of rapidly accelerating unexpected change. We talk about the ill...2022-08-1747 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E11 Katherine Rosback facilitating decisions in groupsWhenever I teach about decision making, inevitably, the comment comes up, "These frameworks are great and all, but what do I do about the other people in the room?" Decision making in groups definitely adds a layer of complexity. That's why I invited Katherine Rosback, an expert decision and risk analysis facilitator and a colleague of mine from the Society of Decision Professionals onto the show.We'll be talking about the science behind asking questions, how to lay the groundwork for shifting someone's perspective, and strategies for facilitating more effective meetings. Topics Covered...2022-08-1044 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E10 Dave Evans on discernment and ways of knowingIn all my years of teaching about decision making, no topic generates more angst than the need to know. But how do you know what you know? How do you know when you know what you know? And how do you integrate this knowing into some of the most important decisions of your life?In this episode, I invited Dave Evans onto the show to talk all about these topics of knowing and discernment. Dave is the co-author of Designing Your Life and Designing Your New Work Life. He co-founded the Stanford Life Design lab and holds...2022-08-0350 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E09 Michele Wucker on how to think about riskRisk. For some people, the very thought sends chills down their spines, yet for others, the topic prompts a sense of thrill. Why is that the case? And what does that mean for how we think about risk in decision making?To answer those questions and more, I turned to Michele Wucker, author of the books, The Gray Rhino, and You Are What You Risk. We chat about how the way we define risk matters, the layers of factors that make up our risk fingerprint, and things to keep in mind about risk when making group decisions. 2022-07-2745 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E08 - Don Moore on confidence and decision leadershipConfidence is a critical part of decision making and being an effective leader. Not enough confidence and you won't move a decision to the action or be able to cultivate the support needed to move it forward. Too much confidence and you could make decisions that unnecessarily put you and others at risk. So how do you walk the line of having just the right amount of confidence? Today, I speak with Don Moore: confidence expert, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business professor and author of the book, Perfectly Confident. We discuss the different types of...2022-07-2038 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E07 - Ralph Keeney on nudging yourself toward better decisionsDecisions. They are the way we can steer our lives forward, yet how much thought do people give to how they are making them? And more importantly, what are the small things we can do to improve them?In this episode, I go back to basics with global decision making expert, Ralph Keeney. Ralph is a Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at Duke University and a Professor Emeritus of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California. He has written multiple books on decision making, including Value-Focused Thinking, Smart Choices, and Give Yourself A Nudge.2022-07-1342 min
The Priorities PodcastWhen You’re Deciding To PrioritizeMichelle Florendo is a decision engineer and executive coach who is passionate about teaching people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has shown hundreds of driven professionals how to use the principles of decision science to grow their impact and find fulfillment. She joins Amy and Bryan on the podcast today to introduce Decision Engineering to us to improve our skills, understand what factors go into decisions, and assess what will become of our society as we’re inundated with more opportunities yet more uncertainty. Seg...2022-07-0639 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E06 - Amy Day on decision skills for parents and emerging adultsDecision-making is not just a cognitive exercise; there are benefits to approaching it as a whole person. To talk more about this, I invited Amy Day, decision educator and executive director of the nonprofit Clarity for Action, to my podcast. Amy likes to say that she grew up in a decision laboratory, surrounded by giants from the field of decision science. She's certified as a decision educator, coach and advisor through Stanford, continuing studies.Over the past 20 years, she has combined her native background in decision quality, with insights, from social emotional learning, in order t...2022-07-0639 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E05 - Carl Spetzler on the six links of decision qualityHow can you know you've made a good decision, even before you know how things turn out? It’s all about understanding decision quality.To talk about that, I invited award-winning decision quality expert, Carl Spetzler onto today's show. Carl is the co-founder and chairman of Strategic Decisions group, a leading strategy consulting firm, renowned for its expertise in strategic decision making for greater value creation. He also literally wrote the book on decision quality along with his colleagues, Hannah Winter and Jennifer Meyer.Today, we talk about how the concept of decision quality has he...2022-06-2936 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E04 - Alexis Gonzales-Black on org decision making and inclusive processesMaking decisions as an individual has its challenges, but having to make decisions as a group adds many other layers of complexity. To talk about that, I brought my friend, Alexis Gonzales-Black onto today's show. Alexis is a Partner and the org design lead at August Public. Before August, she led the implementation of Holacracy at Zappos and helped shape an emerging org design practice for world-class clients at IDEO. She is an expert in organization design and is driven by a desire to make workplaces more inclusive, agile, and fun.In this episode, we t...2022-06-2242 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E03 - Barry Schwartz on why we should focus on practical wisdomWhen making a decision, we should seek out the "best" option, right? Turns out, seeking to maximize your outcomes is likely to leave you less happy and more stressed. On the show today I bring you one of my mentors, Barry Schwartz, who wrote the game-changing book The Paradox of Choice, Why More is Less.Barry shares why maximizing is a bad goal, talks about the benefits of constraints, and shows how practical wisdom is what will enable us to succeed in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity.Topics covered03:01 What prompted him...2022-06-1544 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E02 - Kathy Davies on design thinking and life decisionsDecisions about what you want to do next in life feel big- they can literally change your life. That's why so many people feel stuck in the process. Today I'm speaking with my friend, Kathy Davies, the Managing Director of the Life Design Lab at Stanford University. She is also the co-founder of Designing Your Life for Women and a Master Trainer of the Designing Your Life process. In today's episode, Kathy provides an overview of what it looks like to apply design thinking to life decisions, talks about the value of sitting with emotions and feelings, e...2022-06-0839 minAsk a Decision EngineerS4E01 - Seth Godin on intentional decisions and dancing with fearIn this fourth season of the podcast, I'm bringing folks on the show who have influenced my work on decision-making. And who better to start with than Seth Godin, without whom this podcast would not exist.Seth is an entrepreneur, an author of multiple New York Times bestselling books, writer of one of the most popular blogs in the world and a dear teacher of mine when it comes to dancing with the emotions that come up in decision-making. Today, we talk about making decisions with intent, the difference between intent and purpose, why fear is not...2022-06-0133 min
Ask a Decision EngineerSeason 4 Trailer: New episodes coming in June 2022When facing big decisions, even the smartest people can get tied into knots. But it doesn't have to be that way.Hi, I'm Michelle Florendo.I studied decision engineering at Stanford and over the past 15 years, I've helped hundreds of people navigate complex decisions in their professional and personal lives.In season four of my podcast, Ask A Decision Engineer, I'll be interviewing guests on the show who will share insights, strategies, and tools to help you work through your decision-making challenges.You'll hear from authors, professors and practitioners spanning the...2022-05-2500 min
In TrustTrust and Decision Engineering - Interview with Michelle Florendo - EP 51How do you untangle big, messy decisions?
How do you make collective decisions within organizations that everyone can get behind, even if they disagree?
Who better to ask these questions to then Michelle Florendo, a decision engineer and award-winning coach for type-A professionals (who also happens to host a podcast called Ask a Decision Engineer). Michelle uses a blend of decision engineering, design thinking, and lean startup principles to help her clients achieve their goals. Michelle has guest-taught on career decision making in Stanford's famous Design Your Life course, was a founding member of the...2021-09-0739 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E08 - How do I know my decisions were the best ones?In this Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, I answer a question from a listener about how to tell whether the decisions he has made were the best ones. Listen in as I discuss how to reduce doubt after making a decision.Key topics covered in this episode:1:55 - what this listener is really asking4:02 - the short answer to the question5:23 - what would be more helpful when facing this question6:13 - the feeling that prompts this question and why you feel it7:58 - the surprising truth about wanting to maximize your outcomes9:25 - the first...2021-08-0415 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E07 - How to move past overwhelm and feel more confident in decision makingIn this Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, I answer a question from a listener about how to approach decisions so that she can move past overwhelm and feel more confident in her decision making. Listen in as I discuss four key steps for her to tackle decisions with more ease.Key topics covered in this episode:1:23 - Process orientation vs. outcome orientation2:32 - Improving confidence by discarding unrealistic bars for decision quality5:32 - Knowing where to focus by using the Covey's Circles tool8:39 - Breaking decisions down into bite-sized pieces using the 3 Components framework10:41 - Key...2021-07-2123 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E06 - How do I deal with elder care decisions after a parents health crisisSometimes there are decisions that are so overwhelming and emotionally draining that what we decide to do to stay mentally and emotionally fit enough to make the decision is as important as the decision process itself. In today's episode, you'll hear from a guest client facing a difficult decision regarding care for her aging mother with a mental health condition. Learn strategies for working through tough decisions involving others.Key topics we cover:1:58 - What's key to consider in emotionally difficult decisions2:30 - Constraints in decision making8:31 - How Covey's Circle of Influence is a tool...2021-07-1437 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E05 - What should I do after I graduate?How do you figure out what to do after you graduate from college? In this episode, I show a college student how to clarify what she wants, reduce the stress of finding the perfect job, and avoid getting overwhelmed by uncertainties.Key topics we cover:2:27 - How to reframe "I don't know what I want"5:58 - How to use the "Happiness Pyramid" to clarify what you want8:48 - What to do with advice that tells you to follow your passion13:50 - Why feelings can be super useful in the process of clarifying what you want14:40...2021-06-3039 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E04 - What to do when torn between intellect and intuitionKey topics we cover in this episode:03:47 - What to do when your intellect says one thing and your intuition says another07:21 - Breaking big decisions into smaller microdecisions07:57 - Unpacking feelings about money and deciding to invest in one's business14:05 - What's keeping her awake at night17:17 - Clarifying her objectives19:12 - What it means when there is an option you're not willing to entertain20:40 - What to do about information gaps28:03 - Determining the value of information29:29 - How to deal with the desire to just make a decision alreadyThere are three key things...2021-06-2338 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E03 - Should I start my own thing or look for a job?Today's episode touches on a number of different feelings: the excitement of a new path and the doubts around whether it will pan out the questioning around how much our desires are a result of the culture we've been surrounded by, or if deep down inside, we actually want something else. When we feel like we are swimming in an ocean of thoughts and feelings, it can be extremely useful to get those thoughts down on paper in a structured way. Consider doing a brain dump and categorizing things into the three components, objectives, options, and informationIf you a...2021-06-1633 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E02 - Stuck, unable to take the plungeIf you have already decided what course of action to take, but are having a hard time actually acting on it, explore:what emotions are arising as you think about taking action?where are those emotions coming from?if one of those emotions is fear or dread, what is on the other side of that?if what you fear were to come to fruition, what will you decide to do then?how might you keep the positive benefits of the course of action you chose top of mind?To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check...2021-06-0721 minAsk a Decision EngineerS3E01: Feelings in Decision Making - Friend or FoeWe need to stop thinking that the best decisions are ones made in an emotional vacuum. There's a cost to ignoring how we feel. At best we leave useful data on the table. But at worst, - we waste time beholden to emotions that do have a powerful hold over us- we make decisions that deliver on the opposite of what we actually want- we exhaust ourselves by only using a portion of the brainpower that we could possibly be using.The more we can get curious about what i...2021-05-3115 minAsk a Decision EngineerSeason 3 TrailerWhen facing big decisions, even the smartest people can get tied into knots. But it doesn't have to be that way. Hi, I'm Michelle Florendo. I studied decision engineering at Stanford and over the past 15 years, I've helped hundreds of people navigate complex decisions in their professional and personal lives. In season three of my podcast, Ask a Decision Engineer, we'll be tackling ALL THE FEELS. You know, when you wish you could just make a rational decision, but can't. The truth is, if you want to feel confident in your decision, don't ignore your emotions. Examine the...2021-05-0601 min
The Happier Approach: Quieting your High Functioning AnxietyEpisode 160: Successfully Navigating Decision Fatigue, COVID, and the Holidays with Michelle FlorendoAs if navigating the holidays wasn’t already hard enough, 2020 has turned our holiday traditions on their head. In my family, we’re making some tough decisions about the holidays, and emotions are running high. We’ve already canceled our traditional Thanksgiving trip to Chicago to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins—and it looks like we’ll need to reimagine our Christmas as well, which has been pretty much the same my whole life. Making decisions this year has been hard. I’m sure you feel it, too. Do we have a holiday celebration with family? Do we travel? Do we...2020-11-1942 min
Mom Founder Imagination HubMichelle Florendo, Decision Engineer, Talks About Decision-Making, Good vs. Bad Decisions, and Identifying Your Desired OutcomeIt’s not every day I get to ask a decision engineer a question. This week, Michelle Florendo joins me on the podcast. She is an executive coach who helps people untangle messy decisions in life and work. You are going to enjoy this conversation if you’ve ever found yourself in a position in making a messy decision. Michelle shares her step-by-step process for making decisions and also helps us untangle the difference between good vs. bad decisions and the desired outcomes. After studying decision engineering at Stanford University, she spent the past 15 years helping hundreds of pro...2020-11-1758 min
Connecting with Careers PodcastMaking Decisions in Your Career & Decision Engineering with Michelle FlorendoIf you've ever wondered how to approach a major decision in your career, this episode is for you! Join our conversation with decision engineer and professional career coach, Michelle Florendo. Michelle helps individuals, from college students to company executives, make decisions to reach their goals. In this episode, we'll learn what "decision engineering" is and unpack a framework for making decisions in your career. Michelle also explains the idea of a portfolio career which is how she is able to balance the numerous coaching roles she has.
Ask a Decision Engineer podcast: https://www.askadecisionengineer...2020-10-2800 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E9: The Basics - How to deal with information in a decision (or lack thereof) To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-07-3111 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E8: The Basics - How to improve the options component of your decisions To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-07-2414 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E7: AMA - How to distinguish what I want from what others want To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-07-1512 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E6: The Basics - Start with a good list of objectives To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-07-0812 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E5: AMA - How can orgs make better decisions? To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-07-0114 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E4: The Basics - The number one tip I share to make decisions less stressful To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-06-2411 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E3: The Basics - How to stop wasting time and energy on decisionsIn this episode Michelle shares what's at the root of decision paralysis and offers up tips on how to save time and energy in the decision making process Resources mentioned in this episode:Srinivas Rao's Unmistakable Creative TribeThinking Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanThe Paradox of Choice by Barry SchwartzCatching the Next Wave PodcastSummary:- The quality of a decision is separate and distinct from the quality of the outcome- You have two different systems for d...2020-06-1715 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E2: The Basics - What is a decision (and some common misconceptions)In this episode, Michelle talks about what a decision is and what it is not, while dispelling some commonly held misconceptions about decisions.Summary:Decisions are actions you take to influence the future.Decisions are not:- just about picking, they are also about process- about what is outside of your control, they are about where you have agency- about the past, they are forward looking- one and done, they occur over time, in sequenceTo learn more from Michelle...2020-06-1013 minAsk a Decision EngineerS2E1: What's wrong with decision making today To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to m...2020-06-0407 min
Bjoyed PodcastEp 12 Ask a Decision EngineerMichelle Florendo is a Stanford educated Decision Engineer who works as a Personal and Executive Coach for Type-A professionals. She navigates us through thoughtful and practical decision-making strategies that help remove stress and empower our decision-making abilities. Michelle is launching Season 2 of “Ask a Decision Engineer” podcast and you can actually record your questions about decision-making for her to address at askadecisionengineer.com. Email bjoyedpodcast@gmail.com to join the B’joyed Podcast email list or to recommend someone with a great story to share about choosing joy in their lives. Follow B’joyed Podcast on Faceb...2020-05-1841 minAsk a Decision EngineerSeason 2 Trailer for Ask A Decision EngineerAfter launching my first pilot season in 2019 right before my baby was born, I'm back at it with new episodes.About Michelle Florendo
Michelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive
coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with
less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and
taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial
services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to major tech
companies like Amazon, Google, and Salesforce.
She's been an adjunct lecturer at Stanford, helps train coaches as a
faculty coach for Berkeley Ex...2020-05-0601 min
Startup ParentOpen House Q/A Call: A Replay Of Our Facebook Live Event#141 — All your questions, answered.
Last week, we hosted an Open House in our Facebook Group, and I’m sharing the replay here on the podcast. If you haven't requested access yet, we have an amazing group of women gathered together and we chat about work, family, parenting, and all the things — go to the Startup Pregnant: Conversations group on Facebook to request access to join us.
I was joined by Michelle Florendo, one of our coaches for this year's group of women. We chat about The Wise Women's Council, the impact it has, the reason she jo...2020-02-1842 min
Misfits: Wisdom from Unconventional Individuals#38 The Decision Coach from the Inaugural Team of Seth Godin’s altMBA, Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo, is a coach for Type-A professionals and executives. She has served on the inaugural coaching team for Seth Godin’s altMBA, guest-taught on Stanford’s famous Design Your Life course, and is a founding member of the Forbes Coaches Council. Michelle is also a mother of 2, admits these achievements. Her coaching philosophy is a blend of decision engineering, design thinking, and lean startup principles. Michelle holds a bachelor from Stanford University and an MBA from UC Berkeley. In this conversation, we spoke about: Michelle’s evolution as a coach What is travel...2019-12-301h 56
Catching the Next WaveS4.E8. Michelle Florendo. Good Decision Taking Is a Skill.So many of us find decision taking really hard. But does it have to be this way? In our conversation with Michelle Florendo, the decision engineer, we discover the three core elements of decision taking. But most of all we both realize that decision taking process is something very different from what is the outcome of that decision.Important linksMichelle's podcast: Ask the Decision Engineer“The paradox of choice” by Barry Schwartz“Smart Choices” by John Hammond, Ralph Keene and Howard RaiffaIf you would like to ask Michelle...2019-10-0157 min
Portfolio Career Podcast with David NebinskiMichelle Florendo - Decision Engineering and Decision MakingResources
1) Michelle Florendo's website
2) A sample of Michelle's Upgrading Your Decision Making toolkit
3) Michelle's podcast, Ask A Decision Engineer
4) The Podcasting Fellowship
This episode with time-stamp notes is available on my website at www.portfoliocareerpodcast.com
2019-08-2925 min
Portfolio Career PodcastMichelle Florendo - Decision Engineering and Decision MakingResources
1) Michelle Florendo's website
2) A sample of Michelle's Upgrading Your Decision Making toolkit
3) Michelle's podcast, Ask A Decision Engineer
4) The Podcasting Fellowship
This episode with time-stamp notes is available on my website at www.portfoliocareerpodcast.com
2019-08-2925 minAsk a Decision EngineerEpisode 5 - AMA How to deal with a 'wrong' decision To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO st...2019-06-1212 minAsk a Decision EngineerEpisode 4 - Getting unstuck at a career crossroads To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO st...2019-06-0522 min
Not ImmortalAt Some Point in Time, I'm Going To Miss ThisMy guest this time is decision engineer and coach extraordinaire Michelle Florendo. Look for her podcast on decision making laterContinue reading2019-06-0521 minAsk a Decision EngineerEpisode 3 - The common mistake people make in decision making To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO st...2019-05-2921 minAsk a Decision EngineerEpisode 2 - Why decisions are hard (even for smart people) To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO st...2019-05-2215 minAsk a Decision EngineerEpisode 1 - What this podcast is about To learn more from Michelle about decision making, check outThe Ask A Decision Engineer websiteHer Stanford Continuing Studies courseHer self-paced course Decision Toolkit for Personal DecisionsHer Decision Toolkit Coaches and Counselors virtual workshop on Maven
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO st...2019-05-1519 minAsk a Decision EngineerAsk a Decision Engineer - Trailer 1For more resources on decision making, or to ask Michelle a question, head over to AskADecisionEngineer.com
About Michelle FlorendoMichelle Florendo is a Stanford-trained decision engineer and executive coach who is on a mission to teach people how to make decisions with less stress and more clarity. Over the past decade, she has coached and taught hundreds of leaders across tech, healthcare, and financial services, in organizations ranging from pre-IPO startups to major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Salesforce. She's been an adjunct lecturer at Stanford, helps train co...2019-05-0400 min
The MECE Muse Unplugged Podcast - Empowering Go-Getters on Their Journey to GreatnessPodcast Milestones – A Special EditionSpecial edition of The MECE Muse Unplugged celebrating the podcast’s 9 month journey.
This episode includes a replay of an interview with Michelle Florendo, a former consultant, a decisions analysis expert & career coach for Type A professionals. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in decision engineering & analysis, Michelle shares her career journey in consulting and some of her lessons learned.
Michelle unpacks the concept of decision making for those that may be feeling stuck in their career or at a crossroads. She breaks down the components of strategic decision making, providing simple yet actionable steps...2018-04-1334 minThe MECE Muse Unplugged Podcast - Empowering Go-Getters on Their Journey to GreatnessPodcast Milestones – A Special EditionSpecial edition of The MECE Muse Unplugged celebrating the podcast’s 9 month journey.
This episode includes a replay of an interview with Michelle Florendo, a former consultant, a decisions analysis expert & career coach for Type A professionals. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in decision engineering & analysis, Michelle shares her career journey in consulting and some of her lessons learned.
Michelle unpacks the concept of decision making for those that may be feeling stuck in their career or at a crossroads. She breaks down the components of strategic decision making, providing simple yet actionable steps...2018-04-1334 min
The MECE Muse Unplugged Podcast - Empowering Go-Getters on Their Journey to GreatnessPodcast Milestones – A Special Edition
Special edition of The MECE Muse Unplugged celebrating the podcast’s 9 month journey.
This episode includes a replay of an interview with Michelle Florendo, a former consultant, a decisions analysis expert & career coach for Type A professionals. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in decision engineering & analysis, Michelle shares her career journey in consulting and some of her lessons learned.
Michelle unpacks the concept of decision making for those that may be feeling stuck in their career or at a crossroads. She breaks down the components of strategic decision making, providing simple yet actio...2018-04-1334 min
Startup ParentMichelle Florendo — Starting Your Own Coaching Practice#047 — Starting Your Own Coaching Practice If you aren’t satisfied with the available options, Michelle Florendo suggests that you explore possibilities beyond the obvious. Michelle was working as a management consultant, watching her colleagues make the difficult decision to sacrifice time with their children to continue a career they loved—or give up their careers to be present in their children’s lives. She realized that starting her own coaching practice would afford her more control and flexibility, but it was a risk. Being risk-averse, Michelle gave herself a long runway and launched...2018-04-0947 minThe MECE Muse Unplugged Podcast - Empowering Go-Getters on Their Journey to GreatnessPsychology of Decision Making with Michelle FlorendoAMA (Ask Me Anything) episode with Michelle Florendo, a former consultant, a decisions analysis expert & career coach for Type A professionals. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in decision engineering & analysis, Michelle shares her career journey in consulting and some of her lessons learned.
"What we were taught was to be successful but not to be happy."
Michelle unpacks the concept of decision making for those that may be feeling stuck in their career or at a crossroads.
"The quality of your decision is separate and distinct from the quality of the ou...2017-11-1729 minThe MECE Muse Unplugged Podcast - Empowering Go-Getters on Their Journey to GreatnessPsychology of Decision Making with Michelle FlorendoAMA (Ask Me Anything) episode with Michelle Florendo, a former consultant, a decisions analysis expert & career coach for Type A professionals. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in decision engineering & analysis, Michelle shares her career journey in consulting and some of her lessons learned.
"What we were taught was to be successful but not to be happy."
Michelle unpacks the concept of decision making for those that may be feeling stuck in their career or at a crossroads.
"The quality of your decision is separate and distinct from the quality of the ou...2017-11-1729 minThe MECE Muse Unplugged Podcast - Empowering Go-Getters on Their Journey to GreatnessPsychology of Decision Making with Michelle Florendo
AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode with Michelle Florendo, a former consultant, a decisions analysis expert & career coach for Type A professionals. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in decision engineering & analysis, Michelle shares her career journey in consulting and some of her lessons learned.
“What we were taught was to be successful but not to be happy.”
Michelle unpacks the concept of decision making for those that may be feeling stuck in their career or at a crossroads.
“The quality of your decision is separate and distinct from the quality of the ou...2017-11-1729 min