Decide, Already! Some Facts Behind Analysis Paralysis

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing.  The worst thing you can do is nothing.”

–     Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (1858 – 1919), 26th President of the United States

A recent column in Harvard Business Review describes one of the potential problems with what is largely seen as a major advantage of today; the availability of data.

Titled, “People Don’t Need as Much Data as They Think,” the column calls out the costs (real and opportunity) of acquiring and obsessing over too much data in comparison to the quality of decisions made more quickly, and is supported by the research of Nadav Klein and Ed O’Brien.

It got me thinking two thinks (thanks, Dr. Suess!):

First, General Patton was right.  “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.”

Second, if we’re serious about leadership, we ought to subscribe to and devour Harvard Business Review. The research, diversity of opinion and perspectives, and yes, even the data, are simply invaluable.  HBR has helped countless executives decide, take action and make a difference.  It makes a difference for me, and I believe it would for you, as well.