Unravel the tangled web of misconceptions surrounding decision-making. Prepare to debunk 11 common myths that often cloud judgment and hinder effective decision-making. Let's dive into the realm of reality, shedding light on the truth behind these widely held beliefs.
Summary
While Siri and Alexa and Google are great when we’re jonesing for Italian food and want help finding a restaurant, they’re not great, or even desirable, when it comes to complex decision-making
- In fact, they help enable a series of counterproductive ideas and reactive behaviors that actually impair your ability to make informed decisions
Myths About Decision-Making
Many of us think efficiency means jumping right in and making a decision, but to be truly effective, we need to be clear on what we are solving for.
- Rushing can lead you to make a decision based on the wrong factors, which ultimately will lead to regret.
- Taking a little bit of time to research prices before visiting a car dealership will better help you negotiate the price of the vehicle.
- I’m too busy; I don’t have time to give to this decision. Putting off a decision is a decision in and of itself. E.g. If your car breaks down unexpectedly and you rush out to buy a new one, are you considering your needs beyond the present?
- I know I’m right; I just want data or an opinion to confirm my own thinking
- Decision-making is linear; it needs a feedback loop as we gather information and analyze it
Take a Time Out
As busy people, we don’t need to invest time to make good decisions
- We are rational human beings, able to solve thorny and high-stakes problems in our heads
- Decision-making is personal and doesn’t need to involve anyone else
- All three of these assumptions are false – and problematic for clear thinking and analysis
- One way to combat these biases is to put a speed bump in our thinking – a strategic stop to give us time to pause, to see the whole picture, and to reflect on what we’re experiencing
- Slowing down can help improve efficacy by steering us away from our reliance on these decision-making myths and reflexive behaviors
