The 5-Minute Decision: Ladder Activity
As you jumped back into work and the social stratosphere this week, you likely saw conversations about resolutions. New year, new you—right? Maybe it’s the circumstances surrounding the embrace of 2022, but I sensed a layer of tension about setting resolutions this year.
If you are one to set resolutions at the start of a fresh calendar year, then you likely lean on the studies that show individuals are significantly more likely to achieve their goals when they write them down. And if you choose to forgo resolutions, you likely still strive for some sort of goals yet choose a flexible deadline ;)
Resolutions as Reference Points
The reality is, we are big fans of resolutions, not because of a “new year, new you” mentality — but for the purpose of providing reference points in your decision-making as a leader. When we create a structure for our behaviors through set goals, we give ourselves a mile-marker for that next wave of decisions.
Do I eat that extra cookie?
Should I read a book or turn on a tv show?
Will I go to the grocery store or plan on take-out?
If you’ve created resolutions that surround wellness, there’s a chance those impact the way you respond to the above decisions. LIkely choices: No, read a book, grocery store. The resolution is our guide as we stand there with a choice.
Micro-Decisions
In truth, we already do this sort of reasoning when we are faced with thousands (even hundreds of thousands) micro-decisions daily.
When will I brush my teeth?
What shoes will I put on?
Will I pick up this phone call from my mom?
What will I eat for lunch?
Most of these micro-decisions are made subconsciously in milli-seconds, through habits we have built over time. So they would be relatively easy to make without thinking much about them. Micro-decisions were, at one point, major decisions (just ask any 4-year-old about teeth-brushing), but our practice has created a meaningful rhythm that really never leaves us. It’s the more complex decisions we struggle with when it falls outside the realm of our regular rhythms.
How should I approach my employee about her performance review?
When will I address the team about that negative client feedback?
How can I become a better leader this year?
Leaders are faced with constant decisions and the process of making a choice can be overwhelming. But when we have a container, like goals, to help guide us then we move through our decisions much faster. Can every decision be made in 5-minutes? Definitely not. But can we learn to process them more efficiently? Absolutely.
Our draw to resolutions is often more about the process than the outcomes. If you’ve been resistant to set resolutions, let me challenge you to take note of the upcoming decisions you have in your queue. What is the likelihood you could make a well-informed decision in five minutes? If you’re feeling like that would be an immense amount of pressure, allow me to introduce you to a simple framework I came across recently.
The ‘Ladder Rule’
In an article on Inc.com, author Jeff Steen created the “ladder rule” to process decisions and it resonated because no matter the circumstances, your 4-step process of climbing the rungs remains the same. In his article, you work through a series of process questions that guide how you will find your answer. Could it really be that easy?
Short answer: Maybe.
The reason why we confidently make thousands of micro-decisions a day is because we’ve built up those habits and rhythms over time by experience. We stacked up millions of taste-test moments in our lives to know our likes/dislikes/preferences and we act accordingly. And when we begin to look at large scale decisions, it’s no different. We have to move with the same level of experimentation, but mitigate the fallout by thoughtfulness, discernment, and a little bit of caution.
With the Ladder Rule you walk through 4 steps to more clearly visualize your process next time you are stressing out about making a decision:
Frame the Decision
Create Space to Focus
Define Options and Outcomes
Highlight What’s Best
The “ladder rule” is a 5-minute exercise so that you create some space around the decision and [hopefully] develop a thoughtful response. It’s a good challenge and we created a visual application of the ladder so that whether you’re on “Team Resolution” or “Team New Year, Same Me” your next decision can be one you move through effectively.