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I would like to take this opportunity to pass along two principles that will be a great resource in regards to problems you might encounter as you deal with people and making decisions. 

First, when problems arise, make the problem the problem rather than the person. Often when problems arise, we identify and construct the problem around the person. (intrapersonal)  Let's take communication, for example. Maybe the person is not communicating as much as you would like. So speak about communication being the problem not the person. Rather than saying, "You are not communicating" or "we're not getting the information we need from you" you might try, "communication is important and we need to find a way to do that more effectively". If you identify the problem as the problem (i.e., communication) rather than the person, you open the door for solutions and brainstorming where you and the person(s) use collaborative problem solving resources. Be solution focused!

Secondly, in making important decisions, I liked Jim Collins explanation in How The Mighty Fall.  He refers to it as the "waterline" principle. If you are on a ship and something bad happens that will blow a hole in the side of the ship, which would you prefer:  Being above or below the waterline? If you blow a hole above the waterline (where you won't take on water and possibly sink), you can patch the hole and survive another day. However, if you blow a hole below the waterline, you can find yourself in serious trouble! His points are:

1. What's the upside if events turn out well?

2. What's the downside if events go very badly?

3. Can you live with the downside?

Don't get stuck in above waterline decisions. Think long and hard about below the waterline decisions.

Both of these principles will help in dealing with people and making some of the most important decisions you will make not only in business but LIFE.

rb