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Speed Dial: 60-Second Marketing Insight Newsletter
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USA-Slovenia, Germany-England, Argentina-Mexico... when it comes to making
controversial calls, those FIFA refs have been setting a new standard. If we wanted to make a case for 'universal'
health care, we could do the whole world a favor by starting with some serious opthamology for the FIFA referee
squad.
All exasperation aside, bad calls aren't limited to the soccer field; errors in judgement are minefields in our
professional lives as well. Like those mistake-prone FIFA referees, when we're right in the middle of the action,
we've got blind spots, tough angles, and limited perspectives.
But as we face important decisions, we don't need to do as FIFA does; instead, we can review our situation &
right the wrongs we discover.
As you expand your field of vision by conferring with others, these three simple steps can help you make better
decisions, avoid errors in judgement, and overcome your own limited perspectives:
1) Check Your Motives
After I've spent countless hours on a proposal, report, or presentation, I sometimes ask someone I trust to "take a
look at this and tell me I haven't missed anything important."
That's what I say.
But honestly, what I mean is: "take a look at this and tell me I've done a good
job."
That's a world of difference, isn't it? In fairness to ourselves &
others, it's best to only ask someone to spend the time offering their perspective when we're sincerely open to
their opinion.
2) Choose Your Counsel
Who should you turn to for an additional perspective? Who can help you avoid critical errors in judgement? Above
all, choose counsel from those who understand your objectives & can provide a perspective free of ulterior
motives.
You'll probably have a good sense of where you need to fill in the gaps in your perspective. Is it with depth (a
specialist with significant experience), breadth (a generalist who can offer an overview from the 10,000-foot
level), or consensus (strength in numbers)?
3) Know Yourself
Most of the time gaining an additional perspective helps us crystallize & clarify our point-of-view. But what
if you've received too much conflicting information & your mind is buzzing like a Vuvuzela horn?
As you sift through a decision, try using some sort of weighted average. Personally, I give extra emphasis to
wisdom, experience, & any special "game-changing" insight I have. Whenever possible, giving yourself all the
time you can to look through multiple angles will help in overcoming limited perspectives.
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Here's to a week filled with interesting challenges, thought-provoking discussions, & insightful decisions. See
you next Tuesday! - Marie
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