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Quintessential Thought

Some of our teams get stuck when making decisions, frozen in place. Maybe they’re trying to figure out which training program to use, or how to implement a backlog item, or what their initial Definition of Done will be. It’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis, chasing a mirage of impossible perfection.

Consider these approaches to thaw from the frozen paralysis:

1. Next Best Step: Shift from trying to find “the solution” to finding the “next best step.” This language helps reframe the goal to be a smaller improvement instead of the final solution. It could be a tweak, a test, or an experiment that nudges them closer to the summit. This low-risk approach encourages learning, adaptation, and celebration.

2. Short Timeframe: Set a short time horizon to re-evaluate how the solution is working. Without explicitly stating this, team members can unconsciously think we’re crafting a “forever” solution. Sprint Retrospectives are built-in mechanisms that enables this learning cycle.

3. 3+ Options: Help them brainstorm at least 3 alternatives (no matter how crazy they are). Finding several options shifts our brains from either-or thinking into creative mode.

4. So What?: Articulate what will happen if no decision is made…which is a decision they could choose to make!

5. Just Do Something: Invite them to just pick a direction. So often, making a “bad” decision is far superior to deciding not to decide.

Quotes

“Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it.” – Gordon Graham

“You cannot make progress without making decisions.” – Jim Rohn

“It is often said that a wrong decision taken at the right time is better than a right decision taken at the wrong time.” – Pearl Zhu

Quick Step

Next time your team is stuck in indecision, help them try one of the ideas above.

Question

What is it costing your team, product, or organization to NOT make a decision?

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