ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS
Author Bobb Biehl said he decided about twenty years ago to make a hobby of asking questions. He began collecting them and included an entire chapter of questions in his book, Increasing Your Leadership Confidence, in the chapter "Decision-Making." He urged asking questions before plunging headlong into something. Such as:
What is the essence, in one sentence, of the decision I am trying to make? What are the options?
Have I written down the basic issues? What mind-stretcher questions should I ask?
What are the 5-10 most relevant, proven facts in this situation?
How will this decision impact all the people involved? What will be the long-term impact?
What legal, moral, or ethical concerns are involved in this decision? Should I seek outside counsel?
What is the source of the emotional fuel that is driving this decision? How does my family feel?
What would happen if I did not carry out this decision? How long do I have to decide?
The better you become at asking questions, the better you are at thinking through anything.