When Your Colleague Makes Knee-Jerk Decisions

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Some colleagues make knee-jerk decisions, committing themselves without weighing all considerations. These colleagues are pushy or presumptuous and let their enthusiasm overcome their reason. They get so excited about an idea, they become full of fervor, passionately extolling its merits. Further, they try to use their charm to get everyone to buy into their idea. Unfortunately, they spout their vigorous support without knowing exactly what they hope to achieve and, consequently, have no clear sense of direction. Overpowered by their own zeal, they are unrealistically positive because they react without thinking about the consequences. Their certainty that they are right has become such a compelling emotion that it’s difficult to bring them back to reality.

Knee-jerking colleagues often think beyond themselves. Many truly want to make a difference and help their team to stand out or to reach a new milestone. Of course, they are happy to take the credit for a winning idea. But their goal is more often to feel valued and important than to be "right." It is helpful to keep this in mind when encountering this type of colleague.

What You’re Thinking

Jerry is such a pro at doing all the talking, always sounding off and monopolizing every discussion. He’s wasting the team’s time and energy. His animated but unreasonable speeches are moving us away from our objectives. But we sit around quietly, absorbing what he says, even though we don’t agree with him. We’ve tried subtle digs, and they don’t deter him. I doubt if outright insults would silence him. What else can we try?

What He’s Thinking

The new system I’m proposing would put our team on the map. I bet they will mention us in the next newsletter, and then that story could be picked up by the national news media, and it could go viral. We can be the new leaders in this area, and everyone knows our industry is crying for a better, workable system. I see so much potential in our team and know that a success like this would open so many doors for us.

Strategy

Your objective is to redirect this colleague so you can get your discussions back on an even keel.

1. You and your other colleagues must stand up and speak out. Without being insulting, in a pleasant, nonaggressive manner, take turns asking the knee-jerking colleague to interpret what they’re saying and to explain in greater detail what, specifically, would be accomplished.
2. Press for details like how their position compares with another’s position. Without attacking their opinions, force them to defend their views.
3. Play devil’s advocate. Offer other suggestions and encourage your other colleagues to do the same. Is there a way to incorporate certain aspects of the original idea while adjusting it to be more practical and realistic?

If you all get together and decide to stop buying what your colleague is selling, you’ll force them to be better prepared for their next attempt.