First you have to understand, being passive is not an option for a leader. We have to make decisions, especially hard ones. When we allow ourselves to be plagued with indecision it paralyzes the team with doubt in our abilities and fear of what will or will not happen.
We also have to recognize that indecision that leads to analysis paralysis has an underlying condition: FEAR or False Expectations Augmenting Reality. FEAR comes from allowing the little complainer in our head to create apprehension by telling us all of the bad things that could happen if we do not make the right decision. The reality is that very few of us face true life or death decisions and even if we make a decision that does not turn out the way we hoped, life will go on, lessons will be learned, and we will course correct if needed.
Leaders are like surgeons for the business. They make decisive calls that determine the health of the business under time constraints that are often short. The best leaders do not have chronic emergency decisions to make because they are always looking ahead and making decisions that act as preventive care against issues becoming acute and urgent matters. However, every leader will have to face urgent matters at some point. That kind of responsibility comes with criticism. In fact, the more you do in your business and in life, the more criticism you will face.
The analysis paralysis treatment plan includes:
*Understanding decisions are necessary but deciding not to force a decision is a decision. Allowing things to run their course just like a virus is a decision, for better or worse.
*Decisions should not come from weakness, such as negative emotions like fear or anger or the results could be infection or even necrosis.
*The amount of time taken to make a decision should be in direct relation to the size and impact of the decision. Take the appropriate amount of time to analyze the issue.
*Long-term and short-term consequences and benefits need to be determined.
*Set a deadline, put it on the calendar, and commit to it.
*Gather options and walk through scenarios to give yourself confidence in your decision.
*Get a consult! Consult your spouse or a trusted mentor/friend/co-worker.
*Get a second opinion. When possible consult experts and not just people with opinions.
*Seek a higher counsel. Pray!
*Seek a higher counsel. Pray!
*Teach your team to be problem-solvers and to bring solutions when they bring issues. They should be your nurses, medical assistants, and physician's assistants in decision-making. In other words, they should work so closely with you in the problem-solving process they know when you need a scalpel and when you need a bone saw.
*Treating others as you would like to be treated is a powerful way to make decisions you do not regret. Using your company's guiding values can make the right decision clear.
*Excise smaller parts of the decision to make big decisions more manageable.
*Remove emotions to gain a clearer view of the issue. It is often easier to make a decision when we look at it through practical eyes and remove emotional factors.
*Remove emotions to gain a clearer view of the issue. It is often easier to make a decision when we look at it through practical eyes and remove emotional factors.
*Write out the subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (my medical people know this as a soap note or dictation) to yourself before making the decision and the answer will often become clear by helping you process the information.
I hope all of you can give yourselves a clean bill of health with your next hard decision!
Scriptures
Proverbs 3:5-6 Jeremiah 29:11 Phillipians 4:6-7 1 John 5:14
Proverbs 11:14 Proverbs 16:33 Isaiah 41:10
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