Manish BhadauriaProject Manager| Cignex Datamatics Pvt. LtdNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Why people are not able to take decisions, I would rather say why people refrain from taking a decision.
Decision making always comes with some changes, a change in how we conduct our personal or professional life. We can see those changes as challenges as well; in fact they indeed are challenges. Someone who is willing to adapt those changes makes a difference. And whoever look them as a threat are in the state of indecisiveness, and resist changing the current state of being.
Interestingly, When these changes are to impact others life, we are in different mode. We have lot of material to discuss, evaluate and suggest pros and cons. However when it is our case, we almost always find a good excuse to avoid or postpone the decision. We take these changes as a risk to our normal or most desirable course of life and we miss the end result which could have changed our life forever.
We all have seen and known people who are successful around us, in our office, society or even at home. They are also living in the similar situations as we are in. They are ahead of us because; they have chosen to make a decision at some point of time in life and seen changes as an opportunity not as a threat.
When we decide something off course we have to put efforts to make it happen. The visualization of rigor of efforts varies with the potential and sizes of future achievements. When we focus more on the future efforts and compare them with our current capabilities it prompts fear of failure. However the fact is all the means to reach goal will be acquired on the way, not at the starting point.
At least I have not seen anyone who had all the required knowledge and resources at the beginning when they had taken decision. All cognition generally comes on the way. At the initial point we only have a commitment and clear visibility of end goal. The stuffing whatsoever in between the two points we receive during the journey. We move fast and slow, we make mistakes, we adjust and re-plan, we struggle but we keep moving towards the goal relentlessly. Believe me, our perseverance help us to connect to every vital things required to meet our objective. It becomes a magical ride from nowhere to somewhere, from no one to someone, from dream to reality.
The essential skill to make decisions, specially a life changing decision is to visualize the aspiration we want to realize, and once we have clear picture then commit to it. This commitment to start journey is probably called coming out of one’s comfort zone. Rest of the necessities required to complete the journey from conception to success will definitely be acquired during the journey only. Do not worry about them. Just visualize as clearly as possible and commit. It works in all walks of life wherever we have to take decisions. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Nice article, Manish. Some thoughts.
As you say, to see chances and not threats is basic, or to have hope and not fear. And as we know reality has surprises for us, see what happens and be prepared to adapt. A decision we take induces a change we are responsible for, if we do not decide, change is imposed on us by others, so decisiveness increases freedom and autonomy.
Often our gut is a good decision advisor, as we might have seen similar situations before and are able to see a pattern, unconsciously.
Not making a decision has risks in itself and does not convey trust. Thinking too much about a decision made distracts us from the present and future - yes we must learn but life happens now and the time ahead.
Many times, decisions require judgement about ethical values, is it the right thing to do or how to decide in an ethical dilemma, when we can do 2 right things and have to weigh in which one to chose.
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1 reply by Manish Bhadauria
Apr 03, 2019 1:48 PM
Manish Bhadauria
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I truly admire you Sir for more deeper insights. Thanks a lot for adding significant value to my post.
Saving Changes...
Amitabh PathakHead of Business Operations| BVS Trans TechIndia
Inspirational !!! Saving Changes...
Manish BhadauriaProject Manager| Cignex Datamatics Pvt. LtdNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Apr 03, 2019 10:42 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
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Nice article, Manish. Some thoughts.
As you say, to see chances and not threats is basic, or to have hope and not fear. And as we know reality has surprises for us, see what happens and be prepared to adapt. A decision we take induces a change we are responsible for, if we do not decide, change is imposed on us by others, so decisiveness increases freedom and autonomy.
Often our gut is a good decision advisor, as we might have seen similar situations before and are able to see a pattern, unconsciously.
Not making a decision has risks in itself and does not convey trust. Thinking too much about a decision made distracts us from the present and future - yes we must learn but life happens now and the time ahead.
Many times, decisions require judgement about ethical values, is it the right thing to do or how to decide in an ethical dilemma, when we can do 2 right things and have to weigh in which one to chose.
I truly admire you Sir for more deeper insights. Thanks a lot for adding significant value to my post. Saving Changes...
Thanks to Manish for his article.
I am very curious to ask if you know good publicly avail process or procedure for decision making.
Most of corporate standards for Risk and Decision making are very cumbersome to implement and not very popular amongst PMs.
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1 reply by Manish Bhadauria
Apr 03, 2019 3:22 PM
Manish Bhadauria
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In my opinion it's not the process of decision making which makes it difficult. It is having no alternatives. And even if we have alternatives then it is fear of failure which hinders decision making.
In corporate there are very few leaders who let others participate in decision making and listen to their views. (In fact they are more successful). Most of the time it is one way, and in the absence of alternative it is not a decision making, it is merely following.
If we have authority we should look for all possible alternatives with team and then follow process of evaluation and selection for the best one with team/ in person depends on situations and what is at stake. We have to take full responsibility of outcomes.
If we do not have authority, we should have courage to discuss our alternatives and show confidence to be accountable for outcomes. Generally we give up without showing our view or fail to explain. If we could paint correct picture, people will not be able to ignore for long time.
I request others to participate and share their views/experience. It will help us to learn and master the art of decision making.
A friend of mine recently decided to go out on his own and start a company based on an invention of his. I have several friends that own their own companies and they have no regrets making that decision. The most important thing is to set a goal and work towards that goal. I recall watching a show about an American actress named Catherine Bell. She decided at one point she wanted to be an actress, and actually wrote it down on stickies and placed them around her home to remind her. Our biggest determent is usually fear of failing.
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1 reply by Manish Bhadauria
Apr 03, 2019 3:29 PM
Manish Bhadauria
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Their individual authority and fearlessness play a big role in their decision making. However I think in corporate it is a different game altogether.
Succeeding in decision making in team tests the real metal. I have seen people are generally followers in corporate and failing on decision making again and again. Even for small decisions they are highly dependent. Slowly it becomes a habit and then passed to next layer/generation as a practice.
Saving Changes...
Manish BhadauriaProject Manager| Cignex Datamatics Pvt. LtdNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Apr 03, 2019 2:54 PM
Replying to Cyril Karr
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Thanks to Manish for his article.
I am very curious to ask if you know good publicly avail process or procedure for decision making.
Most of corporate standards for Risk and Decision making are very cumbersome to implement and not very popular amongst PMs.
In my opinion it's not the process of decision making which makes it difficult. It is having no alternatives. And even if we have alternatives then it is fear of failure which hinders decision making.
In corporate there are very few leaders who let others participate in decision making and listen to their views. (In fact they are more successful). Most of the time it is one way, and in the absence of alternative it is not a decision making, it is merely following.
If we have authority we should look for all possible alternatives with team and then follow process of evaluation and selection for the best one with team/ in person depends on situations and what is at stake. We have to take full responsibility of outcomes.
If we do not have authority, we should have courage to discuss our alternatives and show confidence to be accountable for outcomes. Generally we give up without showing our view or fail to explain. If we could paint correct picture, people will not be able to ignore for long time.
I request others to participate and share their views/experience. It will help us to learn and master the art of decision making.
...
1 reply by Cyril Karr
Apr 04, 2019 5:09 PM
Cyril Karr
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Regretfully, but what are saying is coincidental with my experience. Project Director prefers to make decision at the lunch with his friend, another Director. And project members are the last one to learn about that decision. An of course none of the members have courage to talk about any facets of decision making:alternatives, outcomes,objectives etc etc. No surprise at all.
Saving Changes...
Manish BhadauriaProject Manager| Cignex Datamatics Pvt. LtdNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Apr 03, 2019 2:56 PM
Replying to Steve Ratkaj
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A friend of mine recently decided to go out on his own and start a company based on an invention of his. I have several friends that own their own companies and they have no regrets making that decision. The most important thing is to set a goal and work towards that goal. I recall watching a show about an American actress named Catherine Bell. She decided at one point she wanted to be an actress, and actually wrote it down on stickies and placed them around her home to remind her. Our biggest determent is usually fear of failing.
Their individual authority and fearlessness play a big role in their decision making. However I think in corporate it is a different game altogether.
Succeeding in decision making in team tests the real metal. I have seen people are generally followers in corporate and failing on decision making again and again. Even for small decisions they are highly dependent. Slowly it becomes a habit and then passed to next layer/generation as a practice.
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1 reply by Steve Ratkaj
Apr 03, 2019 3:37 PM
Steve Ratkaj
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I agree, but unfortunately in a work environment many are concerned about going "against the grain" and "group think" more often than not prevails as speaking freely can be a "career limiting" move. Organizations should encourage and reward independent thought that permits transparency and honesty, but again this is often frowned upon.
Their individual authority and fearlessness play a big role in their decision making. However I think in corporate it is a different game altogether.
Succeeding in decision making in team tests the real metal. I have seen people are generally followers in corporate and failing on decision making again and again. Even for small decisions they are highly dependent. Slowly it becomes a habit and then passed to next layer/generation as a practice.
I agree, but unfortunately in a work environment many are concerned about going "against the grain" and "group think" more often than not prevails as speaking freely can be a "career limiting" move. Organizations should encourage and reward independent thought that permits transparency and honesty, but again this is often frowned upon.
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1 reply by Manish Bhadauria
Apr 03, 2019 11:26 PM
Manish Bhadauria
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That is one aspect where organizations should focus, however at our end we can contribute a bit. Everyone is looking for results and some one who can be accountable for mistakes. results and mistakes both need an owner they can not be abandoned. We should demonstrate this capability by smaller decisions. I perceive that people are looking for leaders who can lead from front and things are changing for better like Agile. We should be a contributor and torchbearer in this changing environment. And probably avoid creating a hostile environment, here our soft skills helps very much. We must understand the benefits of decision for every stakeholder and communicate it clearly.
Great Article Manish. I find it very pragmatic. Saving Changes...
Manish BhadauriaProject Manager| Cignex Datamatics Pvt. LtdNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Apr 03, 2019 3:37 PM
Replying to Steve Ratkaj
...
I agree, but unfortunately in a work environment many are concerned about going "against the grain" and "group think" more often than not prevails as speaking freely can be a "career limiting" move. Organizations should encourage and reward independent thought that permits transparency and honesty, but again this is often frowned upon.
That is one aspect where organizations should focus, however at our end we can contribute a bit. Everyone is looking for results and some one who can be accountable for mistakes. results and mistakes both need an owner they can not be abandoned. We should demonstrate this capability by smaller decisions. I perceive that people are looking for leaders who can lead from front and things are changing for better like Agile. We should be a contributor and torchbearer in this changing environment. And probably avoid creating a hostile environment, here our soft skills helps very much. We must understand the benefits of decision for every stakeholder and communicate it clearly. Saving Changes...
