How’s your problem-solving journey going?
Today, let’s delve into the third step of the solution process: Analyzing Options.
One of the most common methods for analysis is the traditional pros and cons approach.
If you’ve been utilizing the pros and cons method to evaluate options, allow me to enlighten you—it’s an outdated approach.
Let me illustrate this with a scenario.
Imagine a courtroom where there are two lawyers and one judge. The first lawyer argues for the case, the second against it, and then the judge makes the decision.
Now, when you analyze options, you essentially play all three roles. You list the pros of the option (like the first lawyer) and the cons (like the second lawyer), and then you decide (like the judge).
Do you see the issue here? You’re essentially wearing all three hats, inevitably biased toward what you personally favor.
So, in this stage of analyzing options, a significant barrier is confirmation bias.
Chances are, you’ve already made a decision and then you list down the pros and cons to justify it to yourself, confirming your biases.
Confirmation bias is defined as the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values.
So, be cautious of confirmation bias at this stage, and open yourself to the possibility of being wrong.
Next time you’re weighing options and ideas, consider thinking oppositely—it’s not easy, and you may need someone like a devil’s advocate or a sounding board to challenge your biases.
Break free from the confines of confirmation bias, and let your creativity flourish.
Together, we can uncover innovative solutions and pave the way for success.
Wish you success!
Amit Chawla | Business Clarity Coach
Helping you become the transformative leader everyone loves
