Posts
A collection of brief articles offering insight into building and expanding a business including business operations, strategic decision-making, developing dynamic administrative structures, and creating creative business development plans.
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Learning from Every Decision: Compounding Wisdom Through Retrospectives
Every decision, whether successful or unsuccessful, presents an opportunity for learning. Post-decision reviews identify what has worked and what has not. This reflection, in context, can transform experience into wisdom. To cultivate a habit of reflection, question the ‘why’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘how’, and ‘where’ surrounding the decision. Ask yourself and…
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Courage in Decision Making: Crisis and Change
Sometimes, the most effective decision is the most challenging one. It may disrupt comfort zones, challenge the status quo, or require saying no. However, courage is essential for strong leadership. Bold decisions often yield the greatest rewards. Do not confuse comfort with wisdom. When your values and vision are clear,…
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The 10/10/10 Rule: A Temporal Perspective
When faced with uncertainty, consider the 10/10/10 rule: how will you feel about this decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years? This framework provides perspective by balancing short-term emotions with long-term consequences. It helps reduce impulsivity and aligns decisions with values and objectives. A moment of reflection can…
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Owning Your Decisions: Accountability vs. Responsibility
Regardless of the outcome, take responsibility for your decisions. Accountability builds trust and credibility while blame-shifting undermines leadership. Honest reflection drives growth. By accepting responsibility, you empower yourself to improve, adjust, and progress. While great decision-makers may not always succeed, they consistently learn and lead. Utilizing well-established decision-making paradigms can…
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Collaborative Decision Making: Multidisciplinary Approach Develops a Team Culture
Collaborative decision-making, such as using the Six Thinking Hats approach, does not imply involving every individual; rather, it involves selecting the appropriate stakeholders. Seek input from those with relevant expertise or diverse perspectives. This approach yields stronger outcomes and fosters greater support. However, it is crucial to avoid “decision by…
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Data-Informed, Not Data-Paralyzed: an Objectively-Based Actuality
In today’s data-driven world, data is abundant. However, excessive information can be overwhelming. Utilize data to inform your decisions, not hinder them. Focus on the most pertinent metrics and resist the temptation to accumulate excessive data. Timely decisions often hold greater significance than perfectly informed ones. Trust the process, not…
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Embracing Imperfect Decisions: Timely Vs. Perfect But Too Late
Waiting for the “perfect” choice can hinder opportunities. In reality, few decisions come with absolute certainty. Progress often necessitates selecting the most suitable option and adapting as necessary. Embrace imperfect decisions as part of learning and personal growth. Perfectionism hinders momentum. Make a decision, proceed, and refine it as required.…
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Gut Instinct vs. Logic: Both Serve Well but Gut Should Prevail
We frequently encounter a conflict between our gut instincts and logical reasoning. Both have value. Intuition is swift and often draws upon prior experiences, while logic provides structured analysis. Effective decision-making strikes a balance between the two. Trust your gut feelings, but verify them with facts. When both align, you…
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The Power of Clarity in Decision Making: The Quad Chart
Clear thinking leads to confident decision-making. When confronted with a challenging choice, eliminate distractions and define the underlying issue. Consider: what is most important? What are the potential outcomes? The Quad Chart (urgency vs. importance) can be a fast and powerful tool for clarity. Furthermore, gaining clarity reduces what needs…
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Delphi Technique: A Stop-Gap for Limited Start-Up Expertise
The Delphi Technique, a structured and interactive forecasting method, gathers insights from a panel of experts through multiple rounds of anonymous feedback. Initially developed by the RAND Corporation for military forecasting, it has since found widespread application in business, particularly in strategic planning and innovation. This technique proves particularly valuable…
