And Now the Fun Begins

	As I watched the local elections and now the national primaries: the promises, the slams and of course the various analysis, it crystallized my premise that we do not understand how to get our arms around the complex issues that face our communities. We are terrible at decision making. We tell people to solve problems and yes we all solve problems however we have never taught people how to use a structured approach to analyzing complex issues. Instead we take the first idea that we like and then stick with it. I know you think I’m crazy, however to totally understand the issue we need to understand how are brains take in, analyze, and judge information. Here are a couple areas that affect our problem solving and decision making processes. Models and Patterns: Our brains look for patterns or models. Once we believe we have a model (our brain does this usually subconsciously) then we stop questioning. Just look at our history and you’ll see tons of mental models (the world is flat, man can’t fly, rock-n-roll will never last, cable TV will never take on….) These mental models become so ingrained that we don’t even acknowledge or investigate opposite thoughts or ideas. We won’t talk to anyone who thinks differently. Now these models and patterns are not bad. It is how we deal with all the information that an individual comes into contact with. When you drive a car you are using mental models and patterns to migrate around the road systems. It would be very frustrating and inefficient if we had to stop every time we came upon a challenge and analyze what to do. The models are really important when there is an emergency. When the fire alarm goes off everyone knows what to do. The challenge comes into knowing when to stop and analyze our information and the decision making models. Biases: It is very difficult for people to not consider what’s best for them over others. We are always looking for the “what’s in it for me.” So if the decision may negatively impact me regardless of the greater good for the community then I will dismiss it immediately. We are always trying for the individual win not the best for the community. Now that is not to say that we don’t need to know what the impacts are on each individual or group. We do. Because in the process of analysis we may also find other options that will lessen the impact. We will start to look for options that more completely address all the ramification and consequences of any solutions we want to implement. Facts don’t lie: This is probably by far my favorite. You ask any accountant and they can get the numbers to say anything you want them to say. When you think of “facts” some of the things you need to know:     How was the data gathered?     What assumptions were made in gathering the data?     What questions were used in gathering the information?     Who was asked and who answered? Then you have to look at how the data is interpreted. What we the premise they were trying to prove or disprove. It always amazes me when two sides (say the Republicans and Democrats) take the same set of data to justify their point of view. Data is data we put the meaning to the information and decide how to use it. The only hard and fact date that I know right now (and that may change someday) is that the sun will rise tomorrow in the east and set in the west. I could go on with other factors that impact our ability to solve problems and make good decisions. The main lessons that I believe we need to learn is to stop making snap decisions, to look at all options, to analyze each and every option and to make the best decision for the whole. The problems and issues that we are facing in our businesses and communities are not easy simple issues. There are no obvious easy solutions, that are easy to implement and don’t have unintentional negative consequences that may end up outweigh our intended benefit. If there were we would have been doing them already. Remember it always looks easy from outside the kitchen; it is not so easy when you are in the heat of the kitchen. So as the year begins let’s work together to improve our communities and businesses. By: Margie Thomas, IAF-CPF, CTC
	Byline: Margie Thomas, Productivity Strategist, works with organizations to develop strategies to tame the CHAOS and improve productivity and job satisfaction. You can receive Margie’s free “Team Charter, Setting the Course for Successful Teams” report on her website www.matconsulting.com. You can contact Margie Thomas at 765-325-2482 or e-mail her at margie@matconsulting.com. Copyright: Copyright © M.A.T. Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. © M.A.T. Consulting, Inc. Phone: 765-325-2482 www.matconsulting.com