For Your Consideration

Consider:   it's not generally thought of as a power word.   Then there are its derivatives:  considerate,   consideration.  It's often thought of as a more polite word.  If you are considerate - then you are nice.   And there's nothing wrong with nice

I would argue that in its truest sense, however, it is a very powerful word that enables us to do more than we thought possible.

Look it up:  "Thinking carefully about (something), typically before making a decision."

Often we fall prey to a game show mentality:   whoever slaps the buzzer first and rattles off the right answer wins.   Life, and work, however, are not quiz shows.    The questions we face on a daily basis are often more complicated than just having one answer:   there are considerations.

If I make this decision - what is my next move?  Am I thinking about this decision from the point of view of those who will be impacted?    Even though this seems like the right decision, what have I not considered that could be a better decision for all?    Does this decision ring true to  promises that I have made?     Is this decision congruent with decisions that I've made previously and that I will make in the future?

Have I looked at the decision points from different points of view?

All of a sudden, giving consideration, or being considerate becomes much more than a politeness or a nicety.  It becomes a necessity.   It is a pathway to wisdom.   It enables us to make smarter decisions.

Ringing the buzzer first and rattling off what we think may be the right answer doesn't win.

Well-considered answers win.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.