Self Help

The position you occupy - whether in a company, in a family, or in any other relationship - has a direct bearing on the decisions you make. If you work in your company’s marketing department, for example, you’re probably very excited about any legitimate method of getting your product and/or business in front of the people who are in a position to buy.

When you’re confronted with a choice that affects not only you but also other people, the process becomes more complicated. Before making any decision that involves more than one person, get input from all sides. One decision you should make right up front is to be open minded and empathetic to the other people’s needs and desires. That decision enables you to get along better with the other people, bring balance to the process, and maintain harmony, which is important for achieving maximum effectiveness.

When a decision impacts a number of people who are part of your team, remember that decisions are more likely to be implemented effectively and enthusiastically when everyone on the team feels like an important part of that team. When possible, include the others in the process. If involving them is either impossible or impractical, understand that their acceptance of your decision depends on your credibility. If you have a track record of using mature judgment and doing what’s right, your decision is more likely to be well received.