Have you worked for or with someone who couldn’t make a decision? Perhaps they had analysis paralysis, where they overthink decisions, both big and small. For some people, they exhibit this condition by finding themselves lost, unable to get out from underneath the choices available. Unfortunately, some people feel like they are drowning in information, flooding them wherever they go, making them incredibly ineffective at work. Hopefully, you don’t work for a leader suffering analysis paralysis, incapable of choosing a path forward. Hopefully, you aren’t this leader. If you are, here are three tips to cure you.
Sometimes, You Know
Not every decision is difficult. Trust your gut. You probably know the answer. If you get that uneasy feeling, if you attempt to decide something, then you know the decision doesn’t sit well with you. Sometimes, you know what needs to be done.
Don’t Overthink to Stop Over-Analyzing
Give someone a few options or a collection of data, and you will see whether the symptoms of analysis paralysis are evident. Don’t overthink the choices you are faced with. You don’t want to stand in the toothpaste aisle debating which option to go with for hours on end. The same applies when working with data and facts. Some leaders spend an inordinate amount of time, pouring over reports, trying to decide what to do. When they get close to moving forward, they needed another report to look at things from a different angle. Before they know it, they’ve crushed any engagement from those producing those reports and revising multiple iterations. Do yourself and team a favor and simplify your approach. Don’t overthink it.
Make Decisions to Escape Analysis Paralysis
Leaders need to make decisions and do so effectively. Time is the most crucial resource we have. Overthinking trivial wastes everyone’s time. Unless the work you do is life or death, make the call. Worst case scenario, you get it wrong, and you learn a lesson for the next time a similar situation comes around. Make continual improvements and evolve your management approach. The more decisions you make, the more gain experience. Eventually, you will develop an internal process of recognizing which decisions require immediate action. I’ll give you a hint – focus on the urgent and important first.
Last Thought About Analysis Paralysis
As a leader, one of your most important responsibilities is to make decisions. Don’t suffer from analysis paralysis, overthinking everything. Doing so lessens your credibility and makes you a less effective leader. While there might be multiple choices to consider, try to limit your options as fast as possible, so you don’t overthink everything. Once you define the options, recognize that depending on the situation, you need to make the call and decide. Embrace being a decision-maker.
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