The nature of life and work means we constantly have to make decisions, choose strategies, choose a path and define a way forward when faced with challenges and opportunities. When it comes to collectively making the right decisions at work it’s important to bear in mind that the first idea is not always the right idea.
This is wonderfully illustrated in an example in a speech made by the legendary John Cleese. Here is the extract;
“I was always intrigued that one of my Monty Python colleagues who seemed to be (to me) more talented than I was {but} did never produce scripts as original as mine. And I watched for some time and then I began to see why. If he was faced with a problem, and fairly soon saw a solution, he was inclined to take it. Even though (I think) he knew the solution was not very original.
Whereas if I was in the same situation, although I was sorely tempted to take the easy way out, and finish by 5 o’clock, I just couldn’t. I’d sit there with the problem for another hour-and-a-quarter, and by sticking at it would, in the end, almost always come up with something more original”.
Cleese goes on to reference the slight discomfort and anxiety that comes with having a problem and not having a defined solution for it during the period of time from recognising the problem to solving it. Very often we are compelled to solve a problem, overcome and challenge or define a way forward as quickly as possible and then stick to it and relinquish all doubt that it might not be the best decision. We like to be seen to have the answers, it makes us look like we know exactly what we are doing to have quick and strong resolve. Leaders in history seem to have had this characteristic, an ability to pivot quickly, have all the answers and make a decision quickly and effortlessly. Those people who are attached to their self-image of being strong, decisive leaders may struggle with this approach. For them, it can be challenging and make them feel vulnerable to ponder an idea, to explore alternatives for longer, to admit they don’t have the answer straight away, to gauge others’ ideas and explore opportunities and options before communicating a way forward. But this ability to sit with a problem for longer will enable us to make better decisions and come up with better strategies.
How to implement this in the workplace
Be aware of your impulses the next time you are faced with a problem. A solution may spring to mind quickly. But don’t implement it straight away. If you are in a meeting for example and someone brings up a problem, a challenge, an opportunity, and someone else in the room comes up with a solution. Instead of going with the first idea that comes up (which can be compelling to do, especially if it is the idea of the most senior person in the room), make it clear that their idea is one option. Even if it is delivered in a very forthright way, communicate it as an idea; “great, that’s one option”. And then continue to explore other options. By doing so, you are collectively using more brain power to come up with a range of options to choose from and, more often than not, you will go with a different option than the first.
Ideas are like building blocks. When you brainstorm an idea or the problem and the ideas on how to tackle it, the original idea gets better the more it is tossed about and refined. If you just pursue the initial idea that comes up without building on it, you miss the opportunity to make it better before implementing it.
Let’s bear in mind that some decisions need to be made at break-neck speed. In these instances, it is great to have that quick thinking, decisive and confident leader in the room (or ignite that quality in yourself), and this is where being confident comes into play. The concept of exploring ideas and options requires time on your side. And we know in this fast-moving world, we don’t always have this luxury.
What is your tendency when you have to make decisions? Do you give yourself time to explore your options? I’d love to hear! Could your leadership team benefit from one of my tailored workshops? Please get in touch today . I’d love to help!