The Best Decision-Making Quote You Never Heard
3 decision-making quotes:
Theodore Roosevelt:
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
Edwin Markham:
“Choices are the hinges of Destiny.”
Peter Drucker:
“If you have quick consensus on an important matter, don’t make the decision.” Peter Drucker
3 obscure decision-making quotes:
Phil McGraw:
“Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”
Thomas Sowell:
“It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.”
The best decision-making quote you never heard:
The same ‘good’ decision infuriates some and delights others.
During a recent conversation Dr. Eddie Campbell said something I hurriedly scribbled down.
“We make the best worst decisions.”
Eddie is a school Superintendent who makes decisions in a context where no perfect decision is available.
5 principles for imperfect decisions:
- Don’t pretend you made the perfect decision. Stay curious.
- Make room for improvement after making tough decisions. Stay flexible.
- Don’t project or protect the illusion that you have all the answers. Stay humble.
- Admit when you screw up. Stay vulnerable.
- Always seek the best interest of those you serve. Stay service-minded.
Personal:
“If you’re perfectly clear, you haven’t adequately considered the path forward.” From, Making Decisions When the Path is Uncertain and Confusing.
“You get more of the same, if you do more of the same.” From, Being Respected While Making Unpopular Decisions.
What’s your favorite decision-making quote on the above list?
What decision-making quote might you add to the above list?
Dan, I like your statement:
The same ‘good’ decision infuriates some and delights others.
Making decisions too fast or too slow can be problematic.
Thanks Paul. Ah, timing is another challenge. It’s hard to win when some want quick decisions and others want you to consider more options.
“It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.” It made me immediately think of The Former Guy.
I have to say that Sowell’s quote is eye opening.
Not sure who you mean by “the former guy” but I think the quote is intended to apply to all career politicians and bureaucrats, and we sure have been treated to ample evidence on that point in the past few decades
Heard this recently from General Mike Flynn: “The best plan is the one that gives you the most options at the last minute.”
Thanks Otto. What a profound idea when results are in question and pressure is high.
Thanks, Otto. This comes from a General who has had to make life-and-death decisions in the field.
Great Quotes – I love this one as well that you might not have seen…
“Knowledge dominance does scare us as Marines. General George Armstrong Custer probably thought he had knowledge dominance, too. Any time you think you’re smarter than your adversary, you’re probably about a half-mile from the Little Big Horn.”
~~~~Colonel Art Corbett, USMC
Thanks Travis. That one stings!
More is lost by indecision then wrong decision. Cicero
Thanks John. That goes with the idea that we tend to regret the things we don’t do more than the things we do.
Thanks so much for putting this together! I look forward to opening your email each morning to see what goodies you have for me.
Thanks for the encouragement Rusty. It’s a delight to be of service.
The 5 principles outlined above are great guidelines for me to adopt immediately + the quote shared from General Mike Flynn. Focused and adaptive guideposts. Very useful.
Great quotes! Great comments, too!
“I don’t believe in taking right decisions, I take decisions and make them right.” Mr Ratan Tata
The quote by Phil McGraw that, ““Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right” reminds me of a quote by a former boss with a PhD in Decision Analysis. He said, “it’s better to be lucky than good!” Unfortunately, making the decision right doesn’t always result in the best outcome — a good reason to follow flexible, agile, iterative approaches to plans and decisions. All the best!