Chapter VI: Decision Making
“People with Humility don’t think less of themselves, they just think of themselves less” (Norman Vincent Peale)
Making Decisions
Decisions are nothing more than a series of choices. For example, what information to accept or decline, what benefits out-weigh pitfalls, who is impacted over others, and the list at times may be endless. The inescapable torture of decision making is more often than not encapsulated in the “what if” analysis. The most calculated best intentions of a decision may be accompanied with the unintended or uncalculated outcome that requires another act. If a decision maker becomes over-burdened with the “what if” then they are likely to submit to an analysis paralysis rather than a preferred crisp decision.
Outcome based action is most likely better served when the original decision applies adhesive planning. However, not all decisions permit lengthy time frames preceding enactment. Depending on the situation or circumstance, decisions are viewed as: Fire, Ready, Aim; unlike the Ready, Aim, Fire associated with planning. I submit that regardless of the choices included in a decision, a decision made without all available information is probably not the best. A decision most often made from emotion rather than logic will have substantial perils attached. One significant area of concern regarding decision making is where the information used to make the decision was initiated.
So where do you get your information for decisions from? Can the source be trusted? Do you verify information or take it at face value? This does not infer that everyone is lying to you, but instead, is the message sent, the message received? Should members be offended if information is verified or relieved?
Experience Matures Decisions
The statement that experience matures decisions may appear philosophical on its surface, but is intended as a thoughtful analysis of your evaluations. One should stop and provide a moment of reflection prior to answering the following question. Has this statement ever impacted a decision you have made in life? Regardless of the intensity or outcome of the choice, what was it that you applied in order to arrive at your final conclusion. A Vietnamese Proverb (n.d.), “the mouse does not know life until it has been into the mouth of the cat” best provides the framework for deciphering decisions.
While being in the mouth of the cat is uncomfortable, it is far more uncomfortable if erroneously reported fact placed you in the mouth of the cat. Circumstance or hastily made decisions prior to all or most information available is weighed may lead to that regrettable decision. The latter may often be within moments of each other while other decisions based on the type of decision will provide ample time to collect facts and separate fact from fiction and then make a sound decision.
Decisions may be strategic, long range, or tactical. In emergency service, a decision may be measured in nanoseconds. In publ