23 November 2009
When It’s Better to Sleep on It
Posted by Moss under: Business .
Perhaps you remember the best selling album, “Bat Out of Hell” by Meat Loaf. There is a song in it about the pressure a couple is putting on each other. She wants to get married and he wants a one-night stand. A the musical intensity and emotional tension increase, he finally says, “Let me sleep on it, I’ll give you my answer in the morning.”
In the heat of the moment, partners or business colleagues can create an unintentional consequence if they stay too close to the issue at hand.
Emotionally based decisions may feel good in the short tem but cause regret, disappointment, and resentment in the long term by nature. For example, one partner is conservative and wants to stay focused on the core business. His partner, a risk taker, wants to take advantage of a “once in a lifetime” opportunity even though it isn’t in their market niche. Business hasn’t been great lately and some cost cutting has been instituted.
Tension and emotions heat up. Tempers flare, judging starts to occur, and listening falls by the wayside. Stuck in the battle, one partner says, “Why don’t we sleep on it. We’ll figure it out in the morning.” The result is a master argument is avoided, the competitive atmosphere calms down, and the stage is set for a more collaborative discussion the next day.
Bottom Line
- Acting on impulse can be deadly.
- 24 hours usually won’t kill a deal.
- Let calmer heads prevail.
