I’ve written before about the value (and pay) of CEO’s of large (and small organizations). And, the value of institutional memory. So, when one is new in a position- and in a new environment, it is difficult to trust your instincts. Because YOU have no basis for such instincts. So, you have to consider a fair number of options, or have folks you can trust that have that institutional memory upon which you can rely.
The issue becomes that our first steps can seem right- but ultimately wrong. We are acting on a situation for which we lack total information- so small, reversible steps are our best choice.
But, what if you were placed in that position to make major changes- NOW? Well, it’s clear that relying upon institutional memory would not be the desired choice, since the company has decided to entrust you with major changes. So, then, you would rely upon your best instincts- and your best information.
But, we need to choose between at least two alternatives. Because, folks generally resist doing anything when there seems to be only one choice- and it’s prospects don’t look all that appetizing. In those cases, we tend to hold back, staying in virtual neutral.
And, choosing to act via incremental steps lets us assemble data points to see the trajectory. I’ve discussed one of the first lectures I experienced as an MIT grad student. Which really brought home how our intuition and assumptions about trends are often wrong- dead wrong. Which is why we do need to make small changes and watch what happens- so we can clearly discern the direction the change is taking.
We often consider these changes we are bringing about are vastly different than anything we’ve seen before. But, if we render smaller changes, continually incrementing the change, we can see the patterns of what we do and what we are presented more clearly. Because in the broader sense of things, these changes will be similar to those we’ve made before. (Hiring our first Director of R&D may be vastly different than what we did before- but didn’t we hire a COO [Chief Operating Officer] and a CFO [Chief Financial Officer] before?)
This is the process of decision making I have been using since forever- for at least 45 years now. (One of the best tests is to consider if what you are doing is exactly the advice you would recommend to a friend or client, in the same situation.)
So, when I read this new book by Drs. Chip and Dan Heath (Professors at Stanford and Duke, respectively), of course I loved it. Decisive (How to make better choices in life and work) is the title. (I’ve also written how we tend to like things with which we agree, too.) I’m pretty sure you will like it, too. Because our great decisions depend upon the breadth of our deliberations.
I love that, “Our great decisions depend upon the breadth of our deliberations.” Maybe this is why our country is in such a difficult place!”
Debi Walter recently posted..I Don’t Need Hot Sauce Running Into My Eyes
Glad you liked that statement, Debi. And, yes, our congressional folks no longer deliberate- they pontificate… expecting no one but the media to listen…
I can see this about you. Very calculating and exact in what you do. Me, well… I will have to check out the book you recommend. I’ve started rereading my “business” books so some new ones will be refreshing.
Shawn recently posted..Should You Ask For A Testimonial?
Glad you are going to check out the book. Don’t forget the library has it, Shawn!
Ok, I have learned alot. Forever = 45 years. That makes me immortal and I like that.
Seriously, great point about the incremental steps. Applicable to soooo much in life. Like cooking…. 🙂
Carolina HeartStrings recently posted..CRESCENT ROLL BREAKFAST BAKE
Well, I was going to say 55 years, Alessa, but I could not quite verify that statement- but given MY age, that’s about my Forever Adult life….
I’ll have to try that for cooking!
Decision making guide.http://t.co/Ou3qnoLgaL
Decision making is difficult. I am interested in this book you suggested, but I am too busy making wrong decisions to read it. Guess I am stuck with eeny. meeny, miney and moe.
Ann Mullen recently posted..Know the Basics When Hiring an In Home Care Giver
Ann:Thanks for the belly laugh!
Just don’t let that tiger go!
I’ve found that, more often than not, people want the quick and easy way out when making decisions on just about everything. I am guilty of doing this just as much as the next person…even though I know that serious deliberation should take place when it comes to making major changes. If you take an hour to choose something from the menu at a restaurant, then that is another story entirely.
Angie Schaffer-von Scheffelheim recently posted..The Curious Case of Craptastic Hollywood
If you take an hour to choose from something at a restaurant, they will boot you out the door. (And, if you came in with me, Angie, I would have already moved on to another destination 🙂 )
I like the logic of small steps, but isn’t it sometimes the case that there are only so many small steps you can take? That at some point you will come to a gap that you have to jump? Without always having references to check first.
Cheers,
Gordon
The Great Gordino recently posted..Article Writing Tip – Let It Simmer!
Good point, Gordon.
No, you take a few small steps and then can see the trajectory. If it is going in the direction you hoped, then bigger steps can be taken. Unless and until that direction is perceived- stay small – or change direction!
Thanks for that great query.
Changes and choices: How well do you make them? http://t.co/LpQaKRjaIu
My husband’s work involves going into companies and making (often big) changes, with little time and involvement in the company. Perhaps that book would come in handy for both of us. Thanks for the recommendation.
Suerae Stein recently posted..Fab Foto Friday – Look into My Eye – Week 4
I have the same issue, Suerae. Which is why I try to keep up to date with the newest and “best-est”, so I can keep up the “magician’s” image…
Check out the book and see if it offers you the ideas you want.
How to make a good decision…Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe.. http://t.co/g4Llpz1LC6
Yup- that age old tradition may let us make some decisions that work, Muriel.
RT @FrenchYumMummy: How to make a good decision…Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe.. http://t.co/g4Llpz1LC6