Indecision and Poor Decisions August 3, 2009
We make decisions every day. Some decisions are more important, and have different results than others. The decision does not have to be perfect. An incorrect, but immediate decision is usually better than a perfect and withheld decision. But think about it; there is no such thing as a perfect decision, there is only the best decision with the given information.
In every case, the immediate, incorrect decision will be more valid than a perfect unmade decision.
When I was learning to play golf many years ago, my teacher taught me: “When you are putting, having the ball go 3 feet past the hole is better than 1 foot short. Three feet past has a chance to go in, 1 foot short will never go in.” And when I’ve told other golfers this they sometimes argue with me and say things like, “if you putt too far to the left or right, it’s not going in”. This is true, and yet if you don’t put the ball past the hole there is zero chance of it ever going in.
Some tips for making good decisions.
1. Delegate where possible. This will give your employees more stake in the business, more responsibility, and save you work.
2. If the decision can’t be made immediately, set a date and time for when the decision will be made. Stick to this timeframe regardless and decide on or before that date (re-deciding to set another date might be valid).
3. Get only the facts you need to be right 75% of the time. If you think you know the best choice, you do. Make that decision now.
4. Courage is needed to make the decision and then act. Have that courage with the knowledge that if you get it wrong, you can always re-decide.
What other things do you think help in making decisions?
Comments»
Hi,
I believe making good decisions is something that one can practice on a regular basis – but “good” is just a question of perspective usually – so practicing making decision by gathering all the facts and taking the decision by following one’s intuition (Like Forrest Witaket in “Ghost Dog” – “in less than 7 breaths”.
Thanks for the good articles you ‘re putting on your blog – I am reading regularly but left a comment for the first time. More to come !
CHeers
C.
[...] 3. Get the facts of the problem. Just the facts you need to make the decisions now. [...]
Looks like you are a true pro. Did you study about the issue? hrhr