What impacts your decisions?

Is there one area that affects your decision making process?

I believe there is, and it does not make a difference as to whether you are in a small business or a large organization.

When I finally give you the answer many of you won’t believe it, but that won’t surprise me. The reason why it won’t surprise me is that it is the same area that is affecting a lot of your businesses. Let me give you an example.

It is the story of a once leading prescription pain-relief medication. It was called Vioxx and its manufacturer, Merck. It appears that Merck’s executives may have discounted initial medical reports describing Vioxx and its dangers. In other words the executives failed to understand fully how harmful the drug was. Vioxx fell from the public’s fascination when scientists discovered the drug caused heart attacks, strokes and death.

While your organization may not be manufacturing pain-relief medication, your actions or lack of actions can affect your clients very deeply as well. Your organization’s success hinges on the quality of your decision making. Yet many managers I’ve spoken to unwittingly put on thought blinders. They don’t seek out vital information or they fail to use the information they do see. These blind spots can create tragic circumstances.

What can you do today to open your eyes to new ways of viewing how to conduct business?

What would be your first step in getting rid of the blinders you so often wear?