Avoid impulsive decisions

We can’t always predict when a workplace situation will elicit emotionally driven (or impulsive) decision making. We can, however, try to anticipate the situations that commonly feature issues like:

• Urgent time demands
• Conflicting demands around what can or should be done
• Ambiguity in roles and responsibilities
• Above-average difficulty or complexity in tasks

 

Try to anticipate the types of stressful and/or ambiguous situations that come up for you in your workplace. Think about how you can proactively act to reduce the likelihood that you’ll make an impulsive decision in the moment.

Common workplace situations I find stressful or ambiguous

 

1. ____________________________________________

 

2. ____________________________________________

 

3. ____________________________________________

 

4. ____________________________________________

 

5. ____________________________________________

 

6. ____________________________________________

 

7. ____________________________________________

 

What I can do to reduce the likelihood of making an emotionally driven decision

 

1. ____________________________________________

 

2. ____________________________________________

 

3. ____________________________________________

 

4. ____________________________________________

 

5. ____________________________________________

 

6. ____________________________________________

 

7. _____________________________________________