How are decisions, yours and others, affecting your potential? Could your frustrations stem from indecision or clouded decision making?
Decisions can be poorly formed, often subjective. I have observed that in the current business climate this has become even more pronounced, exacerbated by a fear-based, sometimes unconscious, choice to defer and defer. And as a result we are trained to endure misalignment.
Behaviourally some of your colleagues may appear more inclined to assert and make decisions (here sits the propensity for subjectivity). Other behaviour types less so, becoming adept at the skills of indecision.
On the positive side, decisions made:
· Create movement, provoke a reaction and a response and elicit new information (and feed further decisions)
And deferring:
· Creates space for reflection, new information to be garnered, the natural course to flow.
I notice an almost linear decision scale from poorly formed through to becoming stuck in deferral. It needn’t be one or the other. In this Simple Note I want to bring your awareness to the effects of enduring misalignment and of accepting poor or deferred decisions.
Consider your circumstances today: Where are these situations where decisions have been made, to which you are not wholly in agreement? Where does any indecision stem from? What, or to whom, are you currently deferring?
The more examples you uncover, the more you will be experiencing and adjusting to the misalignment. It is likely affecting your impact, your enjoyment and your well-being, so the more you will be able to readjust and create a positive impact.
As I go about my coaching, consulting and facilitation conversations I see and hear the evidence.
Misalignment leads to disconnection, to self-doubt, to crest-fallen acceptance, to being dis-enfranchised, to a commercial and personal numbness. This unconsciously learned doubting creates hesitancy, creative avoidance (getting busy on seemingly important other ‘stuff’) and a reduction in the pace of your positive and rewarding change in your life and work.
Many of these reactions are almost undetectable until the point you notice how low you feel. Notice your misalignment as early as you can (e.g. now!) – journal, talk to colleagues, mentors, coaches. With this heightened awareness you instantly shift your brilliant mind’s focus from its learnt behaviour and into a more determined place to begin forming decisions.
Most of us thrive on the sense of completion and yet we so quickly can become submerged in the opposite, putting up with situations that reduce us, our impact and the joy that can be had.
A simple way to shift this is to scan your environment, clutter, incompletes, loose ends, sufferations (one of my favourite manufactured words!). Move them, clear them, access the easy closure. You are likely to experience a (disproportionate) sense of euphoria as you turn your decision spiral in the opposite direction. Clarity, purpose and completion harness a sense of value and achievement that will move you forwards.
There may be more complex systemic failings that lead to poor decision making or deferred decision making in an organisation. This requires unpicking and simplifying and I can help you or your team do just that.
Good luck and keep it simple.
Simon
PS – There are a number of other simple notes that apply here to assist your journey in “The ‘Keep It Simple’ Book, “The Impact Book” and “The Attitude Book” and in Simple Note archives – check them out for further inspiration and contact me if you’d like to engage a coach or facilitator to help you or your organisation along your journeys.