Have you ever been on the receiving end of conflicting advice when both positions sound equally plausible?
It’s frustrating, and can even be paralyzing when the stakes are high.
I’m noticing an example of this in writing on how best to navigate change.
Some authors argue that “you can’t jump a 20-foot chasm in two 10-foot jumps.” If you need to make a change, take a deep breath and go big.
Others argue in favour of “one percent improvements” or a series of one degree turns in the direction you want to travel.
What’s a person to do?
There is evidence to support both approaches. And as a fan of a “both/and” approach to life, I don’t usually feel the need to make binary choices. But in a case like this, it’s impossible to embrace both strategies at the same time.
Finding the best solution requires us to read context.
If I were coaching someone facing this choice, I’d ask them questions like these:
- Is the nature of this decision well-suited to experimentation, or is it an all-or-nothing type of choice?
- How urgent is this decision? Not just making it, but acting on it — do you need it to happen quickly, or can you take your time to see the change take effect?
- Pay attention to how you would feel about making a dramatic move. Viscerally, where does your reaction sit on a continuum of terrified to excited?
- Imagine taking baby steps toward your desired future. Does that pace make you feel safe or impatient?
If you are on the brink of a big decision, it may or may not require a big move.
If these ideas are resonating with you, I’d love to help you sort out strategies for reimagining your next chapter, personally or organizationally. I have a few one-on-one coaching spots available now and am accepting applications for organizational strategic planning to start early in 2025.