2♠️ Don't get stuck between A & B: Uncover creative solutions for tough choices 

Imagine this: You're a business leader faced with a tough decision. Do you invest in a new feature that will enhance your product but increase costs? Do you prioritise short-term profits or long-term growth? These are classic dilemmas that every leader encounters.

Problem or Challenge:

The human brain often simplifies choices by framing them as "either/or" scenarios. We get stuck between Option A and Option B, feeling limited and potentially overlooking better solutions. This can lead to missed opportunities and suboptimal decisions for your business.

Complexity:

The challenge lies in breaking free from this binary thinking. It requires creativity and a willingness to explore alternatives beyond the initial options presented.

Solution:

Here's the tip: Don't assume you're limited to choosing between A and B. Instead, ask yourself: "Is there a third way?" This simple question can unlock a world of creative possibilities.

Benefits:

By considering alternatives, you can:

• Craft a win-win solution: You might find a way to achieve the benefits of both A and B, such as developing a cost-effective way to implement the desired product feature.

• Boost innovation: The search for alternatives encourages you to think outside the box, potentially leading to groundbreaking solutions.

• Improve decision-making: By considering a wider range of options, you make more informed and well-rounded choices.

Why it Works:

The world is rarely black and white. Business decisions often have room for compromise, adaptation, and creative problem-solving. Reframing the situation from "either/or" to "what else is possible?" opens the door to these possibilities.

Measurement:

The true impact of this approach lies in the quality of the solutions you discover. Did you find a way to achieve both objectives? Did you uncover a previously unforeseen opportunity? Reflect on these outcomes to assess the effectiveness of seeking a "third way."

My Story, Sources and References

I can’t really pin down when I first learned this approach.  I think it was just a gradual realisation as I become more experienced that whilst we tend to see choices as Black and White, A or B options in reality there are often other alternatives if we can stop our brains seeing it as two track alternatives.  Perhaps my thinking was crystallised whilst reading about the how the peace process in Northern Ireland worked and hearing Tony Blair talking about the third way (rightly or wrongly).