DECISION MAKING

So how do we figure out what to say yes to and what to say no to? I recommend creating a process for making big decisions.
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PICTURE FROM GOOGLE

I just had one of those eye-opening incidents recently. Had I not taken the time to verify what I'd been told, I would have reached the wrong conclusion.

No, it isn't just me. I see accomplished executives, entrepreneurs, even successful venture capitalists fall into that sort of trap all the time. We jump to conclusions, make decisions based on limited information, or characterize what we think we heard.

Everyone sees things through their own prism. We all know that human perception is entirely relative but, for some reason, under certain conditions, we're willing to make believe that isn't true. Well, it is true. It's always true. There are no exceptions.

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING A DECISION

1. Get it straight from the horse's mouth. All too often we get our information from sources that are far removed from their point of origin. That's especially true in the modern era of Twitter and Facebook. If it's important, get it from the source.
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   PICTURE FROM GOOGLE
   

1. There are at least two sides to every story. Not only that, there are exactly two sides to every business transaction. Don't base an important decision on an anecdote or opinion from one side of a business relationship, even if it seems relatively cut and dried. I can't tell you how often I've reversed my judgment after sourcing the other side.

2. If you want to know the truth, meet one-on-one. If you're considering a business deal, sourcing a client, or considering a job opportunity, meet with multiple key people one-on-one and pledge confidentiality. That's the only way to find out what's really going on. People will say things to you they would never say in front of someone else they work with. That's the truth.

3. Explore the options
   WE OFTEN SEE A VERY LIMITED PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT COULD BE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHAT ALL THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS MAY BE. TRY TO INCLUDE THE MOST UNREASONABLE OPTIONS IN YOUR PROCESS, BECAUSE THEY COULD CAUSE YOU TO THINK OF NEW SOLUTIONS. THEN PROCESS THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF ALL THE OPTIONS TO FIND THE MOST REASONABLE FEW.

4. Subject your Decision to Public Scrutiny: There are no private decisions. Sooner or later the details surrounding any decision will likely come out. If your decision were printed on the front page of the newspaper how would you feel? What would your family think of your decision? How would your shareholders and employees feel about your decision? Have you sought counsel and/or feedback before making your decision?

KINDLY UPVOTE, RESTEEM AND COMMENT

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