Decision Making Quotes

Live your life with conscious choice rather than through unconscious programming. The observing consciousness is the vantage point from which we see our life from an objective point of view. Anytime you are experiencing a situation that doesn’t seem to be working for you, exercise the observing consciousness: 1. Observe your emotions; what am I feeling? 2. Observe your thoughts; what are the thoughts, judgments, attitudes or perspectives I have that are causing these emotions? 3. Look at your only options: – change the situation – change your thinking about the situation – leave the situation – stay stuck

GET AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN BEFORE MAKING A DECISION: A professional carpet-layer stepped back to admire his customary flawless work. While surveying the installed carpet, he reached into his shirt pocket for a cigarette, and realized the pack was missing. At the same time, he noticed a lump under the carpet in the middle of the room, about the size of the missing cigarette pack. Frustrated with his carelessness, the carpet-layer realized he was in a predicament because there was no way to retrieve his cigarette pack from under the attached carpet without ripping everything up and starting over. Finally, he decided to beat the object flat, thereby destroying any evidence of his mistake. Satisfied with the outcome, he picked up his tools and began loading his truck. He couldn’t believe his eyes: On the seat of his truck was the mislaid pack of cigarettes. At that moment, the homeowner’s voice broke his disbelief by saying, “Hey, have you seen my son’s gerbil?”

You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.

Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.

When it is not necessary to make a decision, it is necessary not to make a decision.

When inquiry and advocacy are combined, the goal is no longer ‘to win the argument’, but to find the best argument.

When in doubt, ask. When not in doubt, ask. If you are not in doubt, you may be kidding yourself.

When debate fails to occur, the solution will always be weaker than it could have been.

Value-based leaders believe in democratic workplaces in which employees participate in decisions.

To see your drama clearly is to be liberated from it.

There is a time for departure even when there is no certain place to go.

The more equally attractive two alternatives seem, the harder it can be to choose between them – no matter that, to the same degree, the choice can only matter less.

The man who insists on seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides.

Of all earthly creatures, humans alone have the power to choose.

Never mistake silence for agreement.

Lack of planning on your part does not necessarily mean an emergency on my part.

It’s so much easier to suggest solutions when you don’t know too much about the problem.

Indecision is fatal. It is better to make a wrong decision than build up a habit of indecision.

In any situation, ask yourself: What strengths do I possess that can contribute towards accomplishing something in this situation? Then follow through.

If you let passion inform your decisions, you’ll make good ones.

I used to be indecisive; now I’m not sure.

Good question to ask yourself: How would the person I would like to be do what I’m about to do?

For I am well aware that scarcely a single point is discussed in this volume on which facts cannot be adduced, often apparently leading to conclusions directly opposite to those at which I have arrived. A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts and arguments on both sides of each question.

For every complex problem, there is a simple solution….and it is nearly always wrong.

Effective decision making requires jumping the critical 12″ gaps between the head, the heart and the gut.

Do Something, If It Works, Do More Of It, If It Doesn’t, Do Something Else.

Decision by non-decision means you are surrendering decision-making influence to ‘the four winds’ — chance, fate, the system, or the powers that be.

Data! Data! Data! I cannot evaluate without it, any more than you, my dear Watson, can have bricks without clay.

Consensus means support derived when each person feels heard and understood. All should be satisfied that they had a chance to influence the decision and declare their willingness to support it.

Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader.