"The best decision-makers know when not to trust themselves"
11 Sep 11, 12:00 a.m.
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While we have previously covered this topic it
is a powerful perspective for leaders to understand and master. The
title of this summary comes from Roy F Baumeister, co-author of a book
written with Tierney, "Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human
Strength".
Earlier this year a Stanford/Ben-Gurion University study reported that judges gave parole to 70% of prisoners who appeared early in the morning and only 10% of those who appeared late in the day. In short, the mental work of ruling on case after case simply wore them down. The article can be viewed here.
The article unpacks the concept of decision fatigue pioneered by Roy Baumeister in his new book Willpower.
Decisions, particularly those with an emotional load, deplete our mental energy and we are mostly unaware of the deficit. As decision making wears down through the day we default to shortcuts of two sorts you may recognise:
1. Reckless and impulsive actions such as the sloppy e-mail, comment or criticism; running a red light on the way home; having the extra drink or dessert you promised not to have; or shouting at those we love, and
2. Simple avoidance behaviour such as not returning an e-mail or call; failing to have the difficult conversation that is needed; procrastination of many sorts; or using TV and internet to avoid your own reality.
A number of experiments have fleshed out the concept demonstrating clearly that "deciding" rapidly depletes our cognitive resources leaving us vulnerable to self destructive "cop-outs" from junk food to drugs, compliance to gullibility,TV to internet porn, avoidance to neglect, and frustration to violence.
Tierney goes on to studies showing how energy replacement rapidly restores both willpower and decision quality in computer tasks, financial strategy and dieting (even dog behaviour improves). In short your brain shifts to short term gratification when glucose is low. The judges decision making improved markedly after lunch. Further, we spend several hours per day resisting our desires. We are overwhelmed with tempting messages and options. The marketeer knows that we will eventually give in.
The Perils of Leadership Decision Making
My own experience is that few leaders recognise the risk. Following the challenges of the last years we have come across many leaders who have become ineffective as a result of years of difficult decisions. Their leadership, families and health have failed. Decision fatigue may well be the reason. So what can leaders do?
Baumeister's work shows that the best decision makers structure their lives to conserve willpower. They establish habits that eliminate the mental effort of simple choices. Sounds like INTEGRAL DAILY PRACTICE to me.
Conclusion
Read the article, get the book and revisit your Integral Daily Practice.
Date Published:
11/09/2011