Here
it is – my final blog before the holiday break! I would like to wish each of
you the warmest and happiest of holiday seasons and specifically a very merry
Christmas!
In a
speech at Stanford University, Professor Baba Shiv discussed the role that
emotion plays in the decision making process (Stanford, 2011). He argues that
emotion is crucial in resolving decision conflicts. Historically speaking, many
experts treat over-confidence as a pitfall as it tends to lead to information
biases. Professor Shiv, however, counters that with three major points. First,
he argues that passion is persuasive. Second, confidence is contagious. Third
and most important, there is a great extraction of utility from experiences
when coupled with confidence. In addition to these three benefits, he also
notes that “emotion is what leads decisions with conviction” (1:09). Confidence,
therefore, allows decision makers to act swiftly and firmly.
As a
recruiter for the Army, part of what I do is guide young men and women through
a life-altering decision. Though the decision is theirs to make, I, too, once
made the same decision to enlist into the U.S. Army. When I counsel these young
men and women on their options, confidence is absolutely essential. Professor
Shiv’s three points fit perfectly with my interviews. First, my confidence in
my own decision leads to a great passion with my discussion with my applicants.
When they see this passion in me – a real fire – they are persuaded that it is
the right decision. (As a side note, if it is clear that the Army is not a good
fit for an individual, I am very forward with them. However, I do believe that
most people that walk into my office can benefit in some way from service.) My
confidence in my own success also leads them to see that they, too, can be
successful and they catch that same drive. But, hitting on the third point, I
extract the utility from the experience only because it is genuine. Yes, there
have been many trials but my confidence in my own enlistment and service
experience causes me to highlight the positive! Service in the Army has been
one of the greatest thrills of my life to this point which is why I have been
successful as a recruiter.
Of
course, I have not been so confident in every decision that I have made in my
life. A few years back, I made a calculated decision to broaden my horizons a
little. I grew up in a house full of music and decided that I wanted to learn
to emulate my mother and learn to play the piano. However, I had serious doubts
about my ability to complete the undertaking at the time. After about three
months of self-deliberation, I made the decision to go ahead and take the
plunge. I spent about $4,500 on a brand new piano and found a local piano
teacher. I thought that I could convince myself that if I just made the
investment that I would gain a sincere desire to learn how to play. After a
couple of months, though, I still had serious doubts about if I made the right
decision. I didn’t have a passion for the instrument and I didn’t really think
that I would ever be able to actually master the beast. Every time I would look
at that piano, a pure sense of dread fell over me because I didn’t believe that
I could actually do it. After a couple of years of having the piano, I was only
on what I would consider to be an amateur level. Fortunately, an amazing
opportunity eventually presented itself in where our church was looking for a
new piano so I just donated it. (Oddly enough, I am now at the point to where I
have a true desire to learn how to master the piano and I have been through so
much in my life that it seems like it would be a piece of cake now. When I
retire in a year and a half, I have firmly decided to invest in a nice keyboard
and take lessons. I have the confidence now that I lacked before.)
As I
reflect on some of the other decisions that I have made both professional and
personally, I can see where I made decisions with confidence and where I lacked
confidence. Honestly, there have been times that I lacked confidence, though,
but I was able to at least “fake it until I made it”. Even a false confidence
can be contagious.
[Stanford].
(2011, November 7). Brain Research at
Stanford: Decision Making. [Video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRKfl4owWKc
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