Split-Second Decision-Making (part 2)

Back to Split-Second Decision Making. I hope you have given this some thought since I posted Part 1. There are times that things will happen and situations will change numerous times over the course of an hour or over the course of several minutes. Having the situation continually unfold or develop is not something that I recommend to anyone but as far as learning situations go, it does not get any better.

Short of having a full-scale hurricane or tornado come roaring down your street here is an example of a situation that requires split second decision-making:

You are in a lifeboat and it is starting to sink, you can see an island with lush vegetation close enough to swim to. The problem is that lifeboat will sink in 10 seconds and all your emergency survival gear will sink as well. You will never be able to row to the island in 10 seconds that means you will have to swim. You will only be able to carry three items with you as you swim to shore. From the list below pick your three items; pick them wisely because in 10 seconds the rest of the gear will be down in Davy Jones' Locker never to be seen again.

Pick Your Three Items (you have 10 seconds starting now):

• Blanket
• Bucket
• '50 rope
• Box of food
• Survival knife
• Disposable Lighter
• Handgun
• Box of signal flares
• Two-Way Radio
• 5-gallon container full of fresh water
• One ream of writing paper
• Volleyball
  

Once you have made your decision think about the long-term ramifications of the three items you took to the island with you, especially if you find yourself on the island for quite a long time.

Don’t feel bad about your decisions, as you will most certainly doubt your decisions after the fact. You will ask yourself questions such as “could I have done better” and “was there something else I could have done” and the answer will always be “Yes”. That is why you simulate and practice now. When the real thing happens you be more apt to make the wise decision.

Something else: there will always be those that will second guess your actions and Monday Morning Quarterback your every move and question your actions and decisions. Just remember, that while some of them may be managers they might not be leaders. While they may have no problem working within their little sphere of influence, and feel threatened by the work you have done.

Words of advice: Until those that can only feel good about themselves by criticizing you have walked in your footsteps and believe that being a leader is not the same as being a manager, then and only then can you accept their criticism, because they will only be offering professional constructive criticism and not cheap shots.

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