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Do you need help in making a decision or prompting others to make a decision? If you have not yet experienced it in your career, you can be assured that you will at some point. Truly, this might be part of your daily ritual – not making a decision on the issues that really matter. We all procrastinate on from time to time, but it is important not to confuse procrastination with quality thinking time.
Reflection time is the space we create for ourselves to reflect in quiet, to consider options, benefits and drawbacks before making a decision (and some of the best decisions are often made after a period of tranquility and contemplation), procrastination is more related to … our personal fear of negative outcomes, of something either happening or not happening. It is the ‘ It’s only a small task so I will do it later’ and ‘Oh God , if make a mistake here , I’ll be in for a world of trouble’ syndrome. If we want to supply beneficial leadership, it is our main job to overcome our own procrastination and help others do the same.
At work , there are sometimes occasions where when we want to get a decision from someone, it could be a commitment from a person who is not pulling their weight and needs to improve their results or your boss who has dozens of different decisions to make and his bosses to please, so the decision you need is being delayed over and over again. So here are a few questions you can ask your boss or anyone else to help them make a good decision.
- “What information do you need to make a decision now/today?” – This helps the person think about what they need, not what you want and helps them be more responsible for their own thinking.
- “If you had already made the most suitable decision, what information, data and other factors would you have considered to reach it?” – This invites them to step into a position of already having made the decision. Acting’AS IF’ is a very effective thinking technique.
- “Could you please help me understand what stops you from making a decision now ?” – This helps to unblock their thinking and may draw out sensitive information or even make them aware of a personal blind spot.
- “If your boss was advising you of what decision to make that was good for all stakeholders, what would s/he recommend to you?” – This invites the person to consider what their boss would appreciate and disapprove of. Bear in mind, people often comply with authority, so it’s essential the decision is not made purely based on position in a structure chart.
An unwillingness to make a decision is a decision in itself. If we are to help people, and particularly leaders, make better quality decisions, we must provide them with the time and space to think for themselves, but we can always nudge them in the right direction.
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” An unwillingness to make a decision is a decision in itself.”
I’m amazed how many people don’t know the truth of this statement.
John,
Great post about being the different aspe of making decisions. I especially like the what is stopping you from making a decisions now…. That is non-threatening and opens up a conversation. They don’t have to decide, just decide why they won’t decide! It does get things moving forward.
Thanks for sharing this . By the way, love the new blog look!
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Which Bridge in Life to Use… =-.
Val,
If we can help people see that not making a decision is a decision itself, it really only allows for two options in the decision making process.
Thanks & Blessings,
~John
I really think the questions are particularly valuable. I can think of several people that I can work with this way to help them to make good decisions.
Thank you.
Sandy
.-= Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..From The Other Side Of The Nipple: Another Psychic Communication For Mom =-.
John,
This is a great post because we have several decision to make daily and we have to decide to move on and not make ourselves crazy. You illustrated this perfectly. We are afraid to decide because of the possible consequence. Great thing to think about next time we make a decision.
Thanks Emmie for your kind comments.
Blessings,
~John
John, great post sometimes it is so hard to make a decision. But as you say not making a decision is a decision itself.
Your new blog looks really nice clean design! DR
This one stopped me for a minute, “procrastination is more related to
…our personal fear of negative outcomes”…I have got to get on it. I
find myself guilty of shifting around my “to do” lists in such a way
as to “trick” myself into putting certain things off. Does that make
any sense? Who am I kidding anyway (or hurting) – right?
.-= Robin Lynn Brooks´s last blog ..Listen for that Real Connection in Relationship Building =-.
Robin,
Insightful thoughts! Best wishes in your challenges.
Blessings,
~John
John,
This post reminds me of those lyrics from a Rush song: “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”
EVERYTHING we do in life is a decision, even when we might think we are being indecisive. I think the tranquil time you mention is so important for everyone to practice. It is in moments of reflection when decisions become most clear. At least, that has been my experience.
I like your blog and look forward to getting to know more about you through it and the Tribe.
Mary Lou
.-= Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..How Are You Really Doing in Your Primary Network Marketing Opportunity? A Survey =-.
Mary Lou,
Ahh, a Rush fan!
Yes, I try to spend the first hour and half each morning having a quiet time. Helps me get my head on straight for the day. All the big guys I read, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, etc. speak of having that time of reflection and centering.
Looking forward to a growing friendship as well.
Blessings,
~John
Dr. John,
Excellent post on decision making. I feel like I make a “gazillion” (or as they say in the South “go-zillion”) decisions every single day in business. It’s always good to think about the processes that we need to go through in those decision making moments so that we stay in touch with what is important.
Thanks for your leadership! You Rock!
Krista
.-= Krista Abbott´s last blog ..GoDaddy: WordPress Incompatibility with Windows Platform =-.
Hey Dr. John…
Decisions, decisions, decisions… what does it take to make the “right” decision when you’re faced with so many choices that are anything but?
So many people are stopped by the paralysis that often overcomes them when faced with decision making. You’re so right… when it comes to our hesitance to make a decision is in itself, a decision.
For me… whether in business, or personal… when it comes down to the crunch and decisions must be made, it usually results a reference not to the IQ, but rather the EQ -the Emotional Quotient… with the heart trumping the head. It just “feels” right.
Thanks for this thought provoking piece, Dr. John
Chris
.-= Chris McCargar´s last blog ..Can You Go Back to Square One =-.
Chris,
I would agree with you that one’s EQ is key in decision making. There are some interesting studies on that topic.
Blessings,
~John
Dr. John – this is so important! I think sometimes we are so excited about what we are doing that we want to share it with everyone we meet and expect them to feel the same way. WE want them to “decide” that they believe the same things we do! If we give people a little space, it could be beneficial for both of us.
.-= Glyna Humm´s last blog ..My New Favorite Timesaving Toolbar! =-.
Dr. John. Thanks for your thoughtful and thought provoking post. It sometimes can be really difficult to come to a decision such as how to prioritize what needs to be done. I have found myself just completely stopped when I look at something and can’t figure out how to prioritize the list when so many seem to be a+++ items and can’t be postponed. If I don’t make that decision soon, then even if they can’t be postponed, they are from lack of action. This is very helpful.
Thanks again,
Sandu
.-= Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..From The Other Side Of The Nipple: Another Psychic Communication For Mom =-.
Hi Dr. John,
Blessings to you my friend
thanks for sharing this post with us.
it is so good to take personal space when making decisions
I am looking forward to learning the value you have to offer here on your site,
all the best,
Jeremy
.-= Jeremy Creager´s last blog ..You’re Invited To The Integrity Challenge =-.
Jeremy,
Thank you for your kind words.
Blessings,
~John
Dr John,
I loved this statement:” An unwillingness to make a decision is a decision in itself”. So true.
Your post couldn’t have been more timely for me as I’m right in the middle of needing a decision from a company so that everyone can move forward.
You’ve given some great guidelines to assist the decision making process that anyone can use. Well written!
Michaelé
.-= Michaelé Harrington´s last blog ..5 Powerful Blog Plugins That Build Community & Increase Page Views =-.
Michaelé,
I think it is a huge move forward once people begin to see that postponing a decision is a decision itself. Once a decision gets tabled, it often losses the the energy of expediency.
Blessings,
~John
Dr. John, Great insight on decision making and how we can support our employees who we expect to make good decisions. I just wrote a similar article on my blog on what we can do to set others up to succeed. Some of the ideas I listed go along with your information. I’m not much of a self-promoter, but in case you want to check it out, here’s the link: http://wp.me/pSJtE-1a.
I also really appreciate that you mentioned how an unwillingness to make a decision is a decision. This is great insight into a behavior that many managers and leaders have to deal with all the time. One of my favorite parts of my job is helping managers understand the reasons behind this form of behavior (as you mentioned) and showing them how to hold people accountable for making a decision.
Great post! Thanks for sharing,
Jake
Jake,
I appreciate your comment and agree with your statements. Sometimes it is difficult to get a person to pull the trigger even when they know it is the right choice.
Blessings,
~John
Dr John,
I loved this statement:” An unwillingness to make a decision is a decision in itself”. So true.
Your post couldn’t have been more timely for me as I’m right in the middle of needing a decision from a company so that everyone can move forward.
You’ve given some great guidelines to assist the decision making process that anyone can use. Well written!
Michaelé
.-= Michaelé Harrington´s last blog ..5 Powerful Blog Plugins That Build Community & Increase Page Views =-.