We now have access to more information than we can possibly process. All that information does not always mean better decision-making.
Knowledge is power, but decision-making needs to make a comeback for us to realize our potential.
With all this noise, this information, this data, is your decision-making process improved?
The Future Filter
The constant challenge: you can never have all the information and time is your biggest enemy against knowing everything.
Here is how I see the funnel towards decisions (if I had time I would have made a mad 3D hierarchy pyramid, but alas … I ask you to envision a pyramid one from mere words. If anyone wants to send me a graphic, I’ll add it) with noise as the pyramid base:
- Noise — all the 0s and 1s/bytes and bits throughout the web, over the airwaves, across the spectrum;
- Research — the initial question,
I wonder if…
that sends you to seek answers; - Information — the all-source return dump from your question or a 1-way flare (information is different from communication: see below)
- Data – the filter to makes sense of what is valuable and what is garbage;
- Communication — the 2-way relay of what you find and what needs further refinement;
- Interpretation — the unaccountable and unseen layers of values, wants, needs, bias, emotions, and agendas (to name a few) that your communication target has filtered your communicate through to draw their own interpretation of the information or data.
- Note: you have no control on how or what you communicate interprets as intended; caution when proceeding
- Conversation — the deeper dialogue to clarify responsibility; and
- Decision — shared commitment
Let’s flip the pyramid with the top now on the bottom, kind of like hanging the world map upside down, an alternative perspective:
- Decision,
- Conversation,
- Interpretation,
- Communication,
- Data,
- Information,
- Research, and
- Noise
Pattern Recognition and Systems Thinking
Professionals are valued and paid to make decisions and to make tough decisions. The gray-haired sage is expected to draw on experience to help interpret and filter to make quicker decisions.
The pattern is in the systems thinking approach.
Here are three ways to start with decisions in mind:
- Begin with a hypothesis — if the hypothesis is proven wrong, all the better, add the new elements and revisit the hypothesis.
- Identify the constraints to better hone the target — what limits your journey from noise to decision: time? resources? skills?
- Perfection is the enemy of good, go with what you have, of course showing up to meetings prepared also helps…
I value all the great dialogue, writing, Tweeting, and networking you have shared, because this is the power of social media and the wisdom of crowds.
Be wary of the Oxbow Incident-type rush to judge that pole vaults over conversation. You may know this hang up as it’s common reference as groupthink.