Do I have to make this decision today?

“𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆?”

That’s an insight shared by Michael Seibel, Managing Director at Y Combinator. On the Masters of Scale podcast hosted by Reid Hoffman.

It emphasises the value of delaying decisions to gain clarity.

James Clavell's novel Shōgun inspired Seibel. A character, Toranaga, delays decisions to find new options. And consequently a simple question has guided Seibel in tough choices, both as a startup founder and an adviser.

𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆?

Without this perspective, it's easy to rush into decisions, missing opportunities for better alternatives. And to get caught in the rush of the
startup culture.

When that happens, hasty decisions can lead to unnecessary risks or wasted resources.

Here are 3 strategies to make smarter choices instead:

1️⃣ Challenge urgency
↳ Ask, “Why is this essential now?”
↳ Identify if the decision can wait.

2️⃣ Differentiate decisions
↳ Recognize which problems are multivariable.
↳ Avoid reducing complex problems into single variables.

3️⃣ Reframe the conversation
↳ Instead of “What’s the right decision?” ask “Why are we discussing this?”
↳ Focus on the decision’s importance rather than its specifics.

These are timeless practices. And there were plenty more insights! So, get a front-row seat and listen to the full podcast.

P.S. Let me know your top takeaway—and your recommendation for my next podcast listen!

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