How to make a good call
Image credit: Gaetan Marceau Caron on Unsplash
How do you make a ‘good’ call?
How do you make the best decisions for your team at times of change? What will you do, when trying to decide how to move forward with a particular plan or objective?
Too much choice
The issue can be that you have lots of options and are not sure which is best. Or that you feel that you have no choice, but the way ahead is challenging. Or you know something’s wrong but you’re not sure what the problem is. It’s at times like this that clients come to us, because they want us to help them.
The problem with ‘outside’ help
There are reasons for being sceptical about engaging ‘outside help’, though. There is the danger of outsourcing to consultants the decision that managers and leaders should make. It could shift responsibility for ownership and accountability for taking action on decisions taken. There is a risk that the team won’t be ‘on board’ with the choices made because they’ve not been part of the decision making process. There is the possibility that recommendations from ‘experts’ are adopted wholesale without thinking through whether or not they are a good ‘fit’ for the culture you’re working in.
Why this approach isn't the answer
Most importantly, this kind of engagement never works.
That’s because whatever choices are made for the future of the team have to come from within the team.
But an objective and external perspective is often vital for injecting some fresh thinking when change is afoot. So the consultant you choose has to operate in ways that support that process.
Making a ‘good’ call
For us here at Fairisle, this means the difference between judgement and discernment.
Judgement implies objectivity; a sound evaluation of the situation followed by the best logical choice to make. The word ‘judge’ comes from the Anglo-French juger, which means to ‘judge, pronounce judgement; pass an opinion on’.
Discernment is a more subtle acknowledgement of where you are ‘in the round’. It implies consideration of things that are particular to your circumstances and building the best way forward from there. The word ‘discern’ comes from the old French discerner which means ‘to distinguish (between), to separate (by sifting)’.
Why it works
And while judgements are made, our preferred way of working with clients is to use discernment, and we've found it the best way of ensuring lasting change. Whether it’s a short assignment, like a one-day workshop, or a longer project developing strategy or reviewing your operation, it’s a process of working closely with your team to find the way forward that works best for you. We take the time to evaluate options within your specific context and accounting for your opportunities and constraints. This is what leads to more inventive and longer lasting solutions.
This approach might take a little longer than some of the others that you’ve tried. But you’re more likely to find solutions that work well for you if you do.
If you'd like some tips on using a more discerning approach to change, do get in touch.
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Email: sarah@fairisleprojects.co.uk
