I am about halfway through Malcolm Gladwell's next to newest book, Blink. The premise seems to be that it is amazing how much is decided based on that first impression and your split-second decision or judgment, based on years of experience and assumptions.
I buy it to a point. Gladwell's m.o. is to string disparate research together to make his point. Not the best science, perhaps, but I do enjoy the ride, and he covers some interesting ground.
I think there is a spectrum, and everyone falls somewhere along that spectrum that ranges from the "gut reaction" decision, seemingly practiced by George W. Bush while in office, and the carefully considered opinion that is reached only by undertaking some agonizing analysis.
I think I fall closer to the "agonizing analysis" end of the range. I tend to over-think. It would be an interesting experiment, for me, to go with my "gut" for a day, or a week, and see where it leads. Maybe I have been wasting time. Certain professions demand that good split-second decisionmaking is a must. Obviously, firefighters and police need to make life and death judgments at the drop of a hat. Among the things I do for a living is community planning - which, by its very nature, follows a careful arc of gathering information and input, reaching consensus, deriving goals and objectives, and coming to some sort of prioritization. So my tendency toward "agonizing analysis" is probably well suited to the profession.
I'd guess it is good for organizations to have both the gut reactors and the agonizing analyzers on board; one type probably complements the other. On the other hand, I don't imagine they would get along all that well. Something to think about, for those of us who tend to sit around and think about stuff...
About Me
- Ben
- Grew up in suburban Baltimore. Went to college in Ohio. Stayed in Ohio. Married, had two children. Now we're empty nesters and semi-centenarians. I enjoy writing, music, and occasionally writing music, among other pursuits. My work often involves helping rural communities think about and influence their future.
Interesting... What do u think of my slumdog millionaire article.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought the most important aspect of any decision is how to specific you should be - whether to commit to an exact or vague course of action, or something in between. How much you think about it before you do it is not really the point, since that depends so much on the situation. Which is not the same thing as procrastination.
ReplyDeleteThat adds another dimension, certainly, and one that would vary with the circumstance and the need. But I think everyone has a natural proclivity with regard to the degree of forethought that makes them comfortable to render a decision. Some need time to cogitate; others just spew it. And certainly, as circumstances require (a housefire), most folks will respond rapidly under duress. But it may "feel" wrong", whereas for others, that quick response is natural. (And trust me, I gave this response some thought...)
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