How Do I Decide?

Leader’s  Question:
I’ve been working hard to improve myself in order to get promoted at my current company.  And… I just received a great offer.  The only problem is that it is not with my current company.  In order to take the new job, I will be trading a sense of security and work/life balance for more responsibility, more money and a better title.  I’m struggling with the decision.  Any suggestions.

Bonnie’s Answer:
Learning to make difficult judgements (decisions) is a key leadership skill.  In fact, our research shows that critical thinking (creative thinking, strategic thinking, problem solving and decision-making) is one of the top 2 skills leaders need today and the #1 most lacking skill in next generation leaders.  So how do you learn this skill?  Well, there are tools that you can learn such as the ones we teach in our Critical Thinking Boot Camp.  They include:

•    Force-Field Tools,
•    Deviation and Distinction Tools,
•    Creative Problem-Solving Tools,
•    Decision-Making Tools, and
•    Anticipating Problems Tools.

There are methods you can learn in a book such as Now You’re Thinking, and there are ways that you can learn to make decision on your own.

In this decision, I recommend you start by silencing all of the competing voices.  Silence the money voice, your spouse’s/partner/friends voice, your current boss’s voice, your potential future boss’s boice and the voice of your children if you have them.

OK, do you have silence?  White space?  If so, now bring the new job into the white space.  Without thinking about the money or other voices, ask yourself these questions.  (Or you can click here to see the Job Decision Matrix).

You are breaking the decision up into components just like you would take a chemical apart in a science experiment.  You do not introduce a new element until you have adequately dealt with the one in front of you.

Now, one more exercise.  Write down your Top 5 Values.  Here is a list to choose from:

•    Intellectual Development
•    Use of Abilities
•    Achievement
•    Advancement
•    Giving/Charity
•    Leadership
•    Autonomy
•    Creativity
•    Financial Rewards
•    Personal Development
•    Risk Taking
•    Social Interaction
•    Work/Life Balance
•    Variety
•    Cultural Acceptance
•    Safety
•    Spirituality
•    Physical Fitness
•    Recognition
•    Security

Highest Personal Value:_________________
#2: _________________________________
#3:_________________________________
#4:_________________________________
#5:_________________________________

Is your decision congruent with your stated values?  If not, you need to either re-evalute your decision or get honest with yourself about your values.  Getting clear about your personal values is very important in decision-making.  For example, lets say you went through this exercise and the majority of your answers were “no” but you decided to take the job anyway because of the money.  Then, just be honest with yourself and admit that Financial Rewards is either your highest or at least one of your top values.  Your decisions and your personal values should be in alignment.

Hope this helps….

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