^{_{[Planning vs. trial & error]}}

I have a question for you.

Do you think planning is important?

Or should you just go for it, trial and error style?

I know that no one wants to look like a fool, and that’s why planning is almost always the answer I receive.

But…

Situation

Wouldn’t it make more sense to base your actions on the expected outcomes, rather than how you look achieving them?

I recently read about an experiment in which a group of executives and kindergartners received a simple task:

Build the highest tower you can in five minutes.

Who do you think won?

Surprisingly to some, the kindergartners did and by a wide margin. And the secret lies within their strategy. While the “high ranking” adults started discussing their approach, the kindergartners just went for it.

While the execs built one tower, they built ten including the one that won them the competition. The difference: Kindergartners focussed on the result while execs focussed on status games marking their territory not wanting to look bad.

This result was an absolute revelation to me!

I tend to just try things, then change course until I see a result. When I do that, I question myself a lot. But now I know that I don’t have to feel bad anymore. And you don’t have to either!

Action steps

1. If you’re catching yourself over-planning a negotiation, consider just starting.

2. Find a partner, leave your cellphone and all other distractions in another room, notifications off and go.

3. Commit five minutes of your time, set the stage and just start negotiating and playing different roles.

4. Don’t overthink it.

   You will find yourself in situations you didn’t even think of, until you’ll find the strategy you’re most comfortable with.

Why does this work?

Once we forget status games, trying new things comes quite natural to us. Pick some lower stake activities and try going for it.

You will find, it’s a lot fun.

Have a great week,

Gereon

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