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Entrepreneurs face more decisions every day – Somits dozens before lunch. Too often the people who apply for them make you a favor by framing them as “either/or”.
One of my employees and I even joke about it. She asks, “Do you want to go with x or y?” And I always answer, “There are more options that” or “Why not booth?”
This lightweight exchange emphasizes how to improve your results by replacing binary thinking by what I call “thinking with multiple selections”.
Related: 7 tips for quality business decisions
A trap restriction of your options
We live in a world that assumes people want simple decisions: coke or Pepsi or Mac PC, Republican or Democrat. And who can block us for wanting these limited possibilities?
The average American consumer faces 35,000 decisions a day. Theoretically, limiting possibilities should simplify things. But in business there are two “binary trap” options.
Either/or thinking is comfortable, but rarely leads to the best solution. If we limit the deposit to two options, we lack creative solutions and opportunities for growth.
The strength of “A” and “What else?”
Commercial decisions rarely include only TRUE-OR-PALSE options. Rather, they have questions with a selection. The next time you face an important decision, convert it as follows:
What option will bring you the result you want?
A. One choice
B. Another choice
C. Both A and B (for example, your next car may not only use gas or electric; it can be a hybrid)
D. Other, please specific
That “please specific” in response D is essential. You will want to come up with one more option you should consider. It may even be something to “overcome the box”. From the race you do not want to drown in the possibilities – paralysis of the decision is real, especially for analytical thinkers.
Note well: “Another, please, a particular” do not mean “none of the above”. The world is moving faster than ever, so standing is rarely a good business option. Status quo is useful of someone else’s preference, but it’s not a solution to your problem.
In addition to the best decisions, it reduces thinking with multiple options to choose the risk of regret (or buyer). If the team’s decision is, greater positive results are larger buy-in and ownership.
Related: How to make powerful business decisions without guilt, shame or regret
Example in the real world
Entrepreneurs can use this thinking everywhere:
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Suppliers: You are waiting for a problem with the supplier chain to put your company in an emergency situation. In addition to choosing local or foreign suppliers Betwen, consider other options. Cooperation, direct source and digital marketplace can be viable solutions.
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Marketing: The next time the seller approaches, do not run with what is trying to sell you. Ask how partnership, actions or programs of the readre generate a larger exposure for your business. Consider the production of counterproposs that works better for you.
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Workplace: The debate about the long -distance versus in the office is a classic binary trap. Based on each needs, you can have a flexible mix of both. You can also demand people who need to work together to work in an office environment and allow other staff to work.
My latest personal thinking experience with more choice has appeared when we talked to the candidates for an open position in society. The team introduced me two finalists.
One candidate looked great on paper. Their results of psychometric evaluation suggest that they would be well suited to their potential manager and my society. During the interview, however, it was clear that this candidate lacks the critical and specific practical experience we needed.
The second finalist seemed to have the experience we needed, but their fit with our organization was not so right.
At this point, some business owners hire a candidate with the best adaptation or provide an experienced candidate.
We could not decide between the answer and the answer B. Both candidates wanted to work full -time with benefits and we should not have budget to hire both, so it ruled Outwer C. I learned a hard way to settle in decision -making, so I was looking for D.
First, we considered other options: calling more candidates, using suppliers, offering internships or using AI to automatically automate work. In the end, we have a third candidate that we initially turned. We rewrote the description of the work to suit their strengths and also solve the other problem we had. In the end, it turned out to be the best choice.
Related: How to make a better decision to move your business forward
Special Tips for Owner Owners
Here’s how to give you thinking with more withdrawals for you:
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Challenge desmpments: If you get caught up in binary files, ask, “Why are these options?”
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An urgent question: When you have submitted two options, take time for brainstorming at least one. It is better to make the best decision than fast.
Your task is to make the best decision with information at that time and continue. Once the decision is made, the time for the debate ended. Everyone must be on board and perform.
The next time someone asks, “Do you want to go with this or so?” Don’t take the bait. Almost always there is a third and fourth option. In business is the best way forward often the one that has not yet mentioned.
Entrepreneurs face more decisions every day – Somits dozens before lunch. Too often the people who apply for them make you a favor by framing them as “either/or”.
One of my employees and I even joke about it. She asks, “Do you want to go with x or y?” And I always answer, “There are more options that” or “Why not booth?”
This lightweight exchange emphasizes how to improve your results by replacing binary thinking by what I call “thinking with multiple selections”.
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