by Bruce Cook
It's hard to beat a view across the hills at nature. And the view is even better if you can elevate a bit above ground level. Depth perception improves and you can better take in the textures and topography. Maybe that's why I live where I live... or maybe I've just come to appreciate the view since moving here.
Some of you will prefer the city and the action it brings. I like that too, but a good view is the best... I think. I like them both. I'm actually not sure which I prefer. Hmmm, not very decisive, am I?
On trivial matters like this - the view vs the action - it's OK to be unsure. But on more important issues we must be decisive. We have to pick a side. And stick with it... or so we're told.
Being decisive is seen to be a critical trait in business leadership. The success of any great leader or company will be determined in large part by the decisions that are made. All issues are not black and white, but ultimately you have to go for option A or option B (or sometimes C or D). Regardless, sitting on the fence is not an option, and those who do are viewed as weak and ineffective.
In sports, indecision is lethal within the context of live competition. Game-time action requires split-second assessment and decisions. It's like real life but with the fast-forward button pushed to the max. No time for hesitation lest you be destroyed by the pace and/or tactics of the opposition. Then again, Pete Carroll was decisive in Super Bowl XLIX. How did that work out?
Off-court coaching and management decisions tend to be viewed the same way. Make a decision NOW or be passed by. Better to be wrong than uncertain. Hmmm...
In politics this paradigm is even more exaggerated. If you don't have a clear 'take' on every issue you must either be pandering or incompetent. But why? The sport of politics is far more important and far less urgent.
Regular readers (both of you) may suspect where I'm going with this, but I disagree with the notion that sitting on the fence is a bad thing. Sure, you can't stay there forever, but spending some time atop the fence is often wher you get the best view. This is where you can see the whole picture - the pros and cons of both sides. Up on the fence you can take it all in... as long as you can stand the heat. As soon as you jump down and plant your flag on one side, you gain the praise of that side's inhabitants... but you lose your view of the other.
So what's my point? I'm not suggesting that we should permanently sit on top of the fence like a disinterested cat. Life and its complexities are too important for that. Of course, we ultimately have to make decisions. What I am saying is that it is OK - and actually more effective - to spend a little time up on the fence taking in the view before deciding which side to jump down on. And when we do jump down, we should cut a window in the fence so we never completely lose sight of the other side.
The optimist in me says the considered pragmatists will win in the end. I'm still hoping to see the emergence of an open-minded U.S. Presidential candidate before my time is up. One can hope...
Wait, are those sheep or cows....?
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