Recently, I saw a “tweet” suggesting that one should __________ rather than ___________. (So as not to identify the author, blanks have been used in place of the actual words.)
When presented with these two choices, most people would instinctively think just the opposite, as did I.
At first, anyway. But, then I thought perhaps the tweeter was correct after all. Or, was he? I kept going back and forth. And, then I realized where I was off the mark.
As usual, the “False Dilemma” (the unnecessary use of the word, “or”) was in play. It wasn’t an “either/or” but rather an “and.” Both were important and both were possible.
What I did was allow myself to be drawn into the frame that is so easy to be drawn into: when given a choice between two correct responses…believing those choices are the only two choices and that they are exclusive.
Suggestion: Regardless of whether the context is a philosophical tweet or a present conversation or situation in which you’d rather not have to make a choice, ask yourself:
“Are these actually the only two choices I have? Really? Could there be another one that the person does not want me to know? Or, perhaps one that simply doesn’t readily present itself?
Whatever the case…to the degree you can think — not outside the box but — “outside the False Dilemma” that you’ve intentionally or unintentionally been given, you can accomplish much greater results.
Question: what are some False Dilemmas you see being promoted either intentionally or unintentionally, and/or what false dilemmas have you overcome? This could prove to be insightful and save us all a lot of time in the future. 🙂
—–
Have you checked out our brand new program, “A Year of Success“? 52 weeks where you’ll receive a hard-hitting 3-minute teaching video from Larry Winget, Mark Sanborn, Sally Hogshead and me, along with a downloadable action idea for you to apply for the week. It’s powerful, it’s effective, it’s affordable, and I believe it can make a huge difference in both your personal and professional effectiveness. Check it out.
Enjoy this post? Receive an update when our next post is published by entering your best email address below and clicking Get Updates.
False dilemma ,make a sale by my standards,timeframe or you don’t have the stuff to make it. Another choice study,learn,work smart and the extended time spent results in more effective selling that takes off with greater momentum.
Carol: Great! Thank you!
Ryan: Yes, right on. Thank you! (Looking back at #3, not sure I understood that one. Would love you to write back and explain more, if you’d like to.
Caterina: Thank you for your kind words. I don’t necessarily see it as grey (or grey) :-). That would be compromise. And, while there is certainly a time and place for that, in this case, I think we are talking about “ANDs.” In other words, you can be/do both. (Of course, I also might have misinterpreted you meaning.) Meanwhile, thank you so much for sharing with us.
False dilemmas in business? How about:
1. “social media strategy” vs. “social media distraction” – aren’t my Facebook friends ALSO potential buyers?
2. collaboration vs. lean decision making – do you want my opinion or not?
3. predictability vs. uncertainty – this is the ONLY right way we know how to do things, except for this other perfectly reasonable and doubly valuable way that we’re not sure will work
Ahhh, you Sweet Bob Burg see the GREY, rather than the Black or the White! Or is it Gray???Perfectly placed, but of course.
At 4:46 am, you gave me something to think about!
THANKS… :-^
Your 52 week program sounds very beneficial, please tell us more.
Mary Catherine or is it Caterina?
Love this, Bob!! A huuuuge part of my work centers on my thinking that, wherever there are two options, choose the third because that’s where the magic is!!
A
Anastacia: Me likey! 🙂
The example was to point out that while some things may be more uncertain, it does not mean we should abandon all hopes of predictability. The idea of “uncertainty” seems to provoke this underlying assumption that each of our predictions will eventually be wrong. Uncertainty doesn’t equal randomness. There are still rules of the game, things we know, and things we don’t, things that work, and things that won’t; the mix is just harder to get right (sort of like predicting the weather).
Just because some things are more complicated doesn’t mean we can’t see patterns in what works and what doesn’t, and make predictions based on what we do know, it just means our predictions will have to be more receptive and adaptive to any changing circumstances. Some strategies may need to be adapted over time, others abandoned quickly. And sometimes questioning those strategies is a strategy in itself. We have to be more wary on a case-by-case basis which strategies should be kept, re-worked, combined, or trashed.
Ryan: Great points. Thank you for explaining!