I have a pet peeve when it comes to driving, especially when there is an entrance ramp to a freeway with a yield sign. A yield sign is not a stop sign! How many times has the car in front of you come to a complete stop at a yield sign, especially when there is no traffic? Does that not drive you crazy? Yield means to 'give as due or required.' It does not mean stop!
But how many times do we have to make decisions and need to yield? I didn't say stop, but yield. Yield for many of us comes in the form of our gut or conscience sending us a message that says, "pause, don't go forward yet, something's not quite right." And when we get that tension, how often do we pay attention to the tension or just run right on without hesitation?
May I suggest that when tension is present, don't fail to yield. Just like a yield sign, pause long enough to see if the tension builds. If it continues chances are it really is telling you to pay attention for what's ahead! Don't treat it as a stop sign but a yield sign. When you seek the advice of others and they have the same feeling, don't ignore it. Tension, like yield signs, is there for a reason. Pay attention to the tension.
I'm not suggesting making a 'no decision'. Making no decision is not making a decision. If you are a leader, others are looking for you to make a decision. That's why you make the big bucks. Make a decision for their sake at least. Like my dad used to say, "Fish or cut bait". If you decide to fish, great. If you decide to cut bait, fine. But if you decide not to do either one and make no decision, someone's going to be hungry for you not making a decision.
So be a wise decision maker. When your gut is telling you to 'yield', pay attention. See what the tension brings. But eventually make a decision. Others are waiting on you to lead them. So either fish or cut bait but at least do something.
Posted on
Tue, October 13, 2009
by Ron Beasley
filed under