The most important question in decision making

Here you are at a crossroads. The investment in time, energy, money, etc. is big for the path you are contemplating, so you're taking some time to think about whether you really want to go there. The most important question you can ask yourself is "So what?".

Of course it's not quite as simple as that - there's more depth to be uncovered behind this question. One follow-on is "What is the upside?" if you choose do the thing you are contemplating? What is the potential benefit to your customers, your finances, your ability to grow and innovate, and your ability to manage? Are the potential payoffs measurable in dollars? 

Next it's time for you to answer the second follow-on question: "What happens if I take no action, if things continue as they have been?" The consequences of inaction should be explored in the same categories as the rewards. "What happens to our customers, customer experience or customer base? To our finances? To our ability to grow if we stay on the same path? If we take no action, what will be the consequences regarding our ability to manage?

Many people can envision the downside more easily than they can the rewards of success. (Of course they aren't our readers!) A true assessment of the opportunity, joking aside, comes from the SUM of the rewards and the consequences. It's not one or the other, but both sets of implications that tell you go or no go.

Take time to think through  this thoroughly and consider multiple reasons why. Make your list as long as you can on both sides of the balance.  More is better because later, when the going gets tough, you're going to need to remember why you're putting yourself and your team through it.  And at the times when you are under the most stress it is hardest to recall the rationale you had at the outset.

You might need to remind your team about the "So what?" in an initiative. If the case for taking action is strong enough, you and your team are unstoppable, even when facing tall hurdles. Just give yourself the time and space to truly make the case. That's where the motivation lives.