Have you ever had to decide on something and spent time figuring it out alone?
Of course you have, we all have. It’s natural to think that we need the time alone to go through our current knowledge and seek more on our own. If we feel insecure on the topic, many of us are also good at picking other’s brains, and openly asking for input.
Less of us are good at staying open for other’s input when it is a topic we know well. Something falls under our expertise, and we often “seal off” the need to hear what other’s might bring to the table. We might think it’s just unnecessary or our obligation to make the best decision ourselves.
Yet a whole new way of looking at the problem or seeing it through others’ eyes might strengthen that decision, with the added positive side effect of making that isolated decision in good connection with the overall picture. That’s because we often get short-sighted without others expanding our scope, despite the fact that we do know the circumstances we often need to be reminded of in a so-called “decision paralysis”.
Consistently making good decisions is arguably the most important habit we can develop, especially at work
The above statement is from Mike Erwin, author, army colonel and Assistant Professor in Leadership and Psychology. He also stresses the importance of decision making in meetings. As meetings often require immediate responses, make sure attendants are allowed to provide you with input after the meeting as well. Erwin writes that the best input often comes from introverts, as they spend more time thinking it through before they speak out.
Read his article 6 reasons we make bad decisions, and what to do about them here
