Decisions, Decisions

There is a funny, neglected fact about communication. Effective communication has clear intentions.

You must decide what you intend to say and why. This works well when your body is ready to do the work. It works really well when your decisions are quick and sure. It can come to a confused jumble when you run face-first into decision strain.

Decision strain isn't decision fatigue. It is an inability to make decisions during stressful situations. And, it is cumulative. As strain continues even basic, day-to-day decisions become hard. So it should surprise no one that this ever-changing, unending pandemic is kicking our decision-making in the teeth.

If you are wondering why your workplace communication is so hard at the moment, decision strain could be at the center of it all.

So here is my suggestion. Put some decisions on auto-pilot. For tasks and scenarios that come up often set up an expedient path. Eat the same thing, wear a uniform, schedule meetings for the same date and time, follow a script for common calls. Make some decisions, moot.

Then, look ahead and map the important conversations, presentations, and meetings. Establish on paper what must occur, who needs to take ownership (this might not actually be you), and how to put up guardrails and resting points along the way. Be absolutely clear, small, and methodical even if that isn't your usual nature. There is kindness in your clarity. Kindness in precision. And extreme kindness in bite-sized chunks of decision.

Are you noticing decision strain in your workplace? I'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me.