Hard Decisions

Making easy decisions are easy. So let's talk about the hard decisions.

Consider your team's choice on getting from start to finish. You can take path A or B.

A and B each have their own +/- (positive/negative aspects).

If the choice isn't clear, then enlist other smart people to the task. (Everyone loves to be a consultant.)  If we all still have a hard time choosing a winner, then just pick one without regret. Close, and keep moving on.

Why? Well, if it's still hard, then the choices are really close anyway. And, what people often forget is: While you're not deciding between A and B, you're already choosing C (no decision, no action)  And, that choice often is the far worse of the 3 options.

After you've chosen, say, path B.... Realize that, yes, there will be bumps in the road on path B ---  Just as there would have been if you chose path A.  Don't keep switching paths unless there is significant new data.  Stick with a path.  You can disagree, but as a team, you must commit and own the path together.

Disagree, but commit:
If you hit a bump in the road, don't be the schmuck who says, "I told you so!" and let the mission fail.  We succeed or fail as a team.  Our customers don't care who's wrong or right and who's to blame.  If one wing of our plane is on fire, it's a fool who says, "It's not my wing on fire!".

If we hit a bump, make the best of it.  Own it.  Help yourself out.  It makes for a better chance of success, and is more fun for everyone.  If we hit a really big bump, that's new data, and we may start over on the decision making process.  But, while the bumps are small, keep going, with no regrets!