Stop Giving People Choices
by Coach Colle Davis
As a leader, stop giving people choices. By doing so, you will prevent them from struggling with decisions that most people are not trained to make. Instead of providing people with a choice, offer them a time frame to complete the task you want them to do.
An example: Would you prefer the chairs set up to face the left wall or the right? Better: Set up the chairs facing right before registration begins.
You are not offering them a choice.
Instead, you are giving them a task and a time frame.
The same option includes choosing a restaurant, a vacation, or a team to complete a project. Give the other person your preferred outcome and tell them to make the arrangements.
They will love you for taking away the awfulness of being forced to make a decision.
- Any decision involves suffering because it requires taking a risk.
- Risk-taking is an art form.
- Default positions are easy, and there are no decisions involved.
- Two choices mean delay, confusion, and misery.
- Three choices create a catatonic state.
The most effective leader gives directions for completing tasks that support the project:
- “This component is to be completed and signed off by next Thursday. It must be 100% completed to be checked off.”
- If it is not done, it’s not finished. No percentage is acceptable except 100% completed. The responsible party must sign off on it.
When the assignment is given, that is the time for questions.
- “How big?”
- “How many people can be assigned?”
- “What are interim guide points?”
- And any other questions needed to clarify the task to those involved.
Coach Colle Davis
Colle Davis, Executive Coach. For more help, encouragement, or to turbocharge your life, call or email me. I am a Senior Level Master Coach with over 30 years of helping corporate clients. Reserve your free twenty-minute Zoom call with me, and your life will never be the same. 804-467-1536 EST cdavis@mycoach.com In the meantime, stay safe and have fun.
