PEAK: Avoid The Most Common Decision-Making Mistake

In 2017, I was working at Heidrick & Struggles, a global consulting firm. A book publisher offered me a contract to write a book.

The opportunity was exciting. However, I only saw two options on how to move forward, and both had major drawbacks.

The first option was to quit my job at Heidrick & Struggles and focus 100% on writing. This would give me the time and focus necessary to write the best book possible. However, I would have to leave a lucrative job and take a risk. What would I do after the book was published?

The second option was to keep my job and write my book in my free time. This would help me maintain my income and current role. However, it felt impossible to write an exceptional book while also working a demanding full-time job.

I discussed my dilemma with a mentor at Heidrick & Struggles. He agreed that the book contract was a tremendous opportunity. He also understood my hesitation about writing a book in my free time. He suggested a third option: keep my job and take a sabbatical to write my book. With his support and guidance, that’s what I did.

There are many times at work and in life when we face a difficult decision. During these times, it is easy to make the deadliest mistake in decision-making: narrow framing.

I first learned of this concept through an exceptional book by Chip and Dan Heath titled Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work.

Narrow framing is when you fail to consider all the available options. We often make this mistake by thinking in binary terms. There are usually more than two options, though. You simply might not have identified them yet.

In my example above, my initial thought process around my book deal was binary. I could either (1) quit my job and write my book or (2) keep my job and write my book in my free time. 

In reality, there was a third option that was superior: keep my job and take a sabbatical to finish my book.

Whenever you feel stuck when making a difficult decision, follow these two steps to prevent narrow framing:

Step 1: Think “and” instead of “or.”

Rather than trying to decide between two options, ask yourself if there is a way to pursue both. 

For example, taking a sabbatical to write my book enabled me to keep my job and give myself the time and space necessary to create a book that met my standards.

Step 2: Identify more options.

Sometimes “and” is not possible. In that case, identify more options. Ask yourself what you would do if you could not choose one of the options that you are currently considering.

For example, imagine you have been working at a company for a while, and you have lost enthusiasm for your work. 

There are two obvious options. First, you could quit your company and find another job. Secondly, you could continue with the status quo and hope your work would somehow become more interesting. However, these are not your only two options.

You could hire a career coach to help you brainstorm ways to make your current role more exciting. You could speak with your boss about taking on new projects at work. You could speak with your HR department about taking on a different role at your company. You could keep your current role the same and use your free time to challenge yourself intellectually.

When faced with a difficult decision, beware of narrow framing.

Begin by thinking “and” instead of “or.” There might be a way to combine the options that you are currently considering. If that is not possible, then identify more options. Ask yourself what you would do if you could not choose any of the options that you are currently considering. You will almost always identify a superior option.

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