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Making decisions important to how we are perceived at work [By Michael Kinsman] If the decisions we make on the job define our work lives, some of us simply aren’t doing a very good job.
That may sound a bit glib, but the truth is
suffers because of your inaction. Nothing is
- Stepping up: Simply put, this is doing the
each of us is called upon to make lots of
accomplished by this.
right thing. No magic about it, just making decisions that are thoughtful to the situation
judgment calls in our daily work, and most of us do little reflection on how those decisions
- Stepping aside: Again, you have probably
and the people the decisions will affect
affect others or our ability to get things
seen one of your co-workers moonlight as a
is enough. These decisions lead to other
accomplished.
matador. These are the people who know a
decisions and provide the building blocks of a
decision must be made, but they instead wait
healthy community.
It’s often as though we feel so much
for someone else to make that decision. They
pressure to make a decision that the ordeal
simply avoiding stepping up to the challenge
Everyone wants to make a difference with
of making it seems like we have done the
of making a decision, figuring it will be made
their lives. But they can’t do it if they don’t
right thing.
by someone else, somewhere at some time.
have the courage to make decisions that
This is not a recommended course of action.
are based on honesty, integrity and are respectful of others.
That’s where Timothy Dobbins begs to differ. - Stepping back: Another exercise in Dobbins, an executive coach, conflict
avoidance. Retreating from a situation you
This is not rocket science. It isn’t about
negotiator and author of the book “Stepping
know needs to be addressed is nearly as
making decisions that will affect thousands
Up: Making Decisions That Matter” (Collins,
bad as making the wrong decision. This is
or millions of people. It’s about making
$25) believes that by looking at the way we
an attitude that causes a chain reaction:
decisions that are responsible.
make decisions determines how effective and
Because you can’t make a decision, the
successful we will be in our jobs.
problem lingers and no one is able to move
Don’t underestimate the importance of
forward. The power you hold in a company is
making little decisions in your daily life.
being counterproductive when you do this.
Dobbins says those are the kind of things
Unfortunately, many of us are taking the
that add up to a fulfilling, responsible and
wrong approach to decision-making. - Stepping on: It is simply anti-social Dobbins says we have five major ways we
behavior to trample someone else for your
make decisions:
advantage. It could be for revenge for their
courageous life. In your job today, you’ll have the chance to
having done this to you, but that doesn’t
make dozens of decisions. Dobbins calls on
- Standing still: You have seen this way too
make it right. Or it could simply stem from
everyone to step up and make the decision
often. You do nothing, make no decision at all
your personal insecurity and that you need
that is right. After that, the next decision will
and your work suffers because of that. The
to find a way to beat others in some kind of
be easier.
work of those who surround you - whether
competition, either real or imagined.
they are co-workers or subordinates -
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