Hand Lotion

During winter my hands tend to dry out and get chapped.  One night when my hands felt like sandpaper I asked my wife if she had any hand lotion.  "Sure, what kind do you want?" she asked.  "The hand lotion kind," I said like the knuckle-dragger I am.  She then handed me an ice bucket which contained the following:

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1. Bath & Body Works Coconut Lime Verbena Body Cream
2. Bath & Body Works Tropical Passion Fruit Body Lotion
3. Origins A Perfect World Highly Hydrating Body Lotion with White Tea
4. Bath & Body Works Black Raspberry Vanilla Body Lotion
5. Origins Ginger Soufflé Whipped Body Cream
6. Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon Body Cream
7. True Blue Spa Best Food Forward Foot Lotion (technically not hand lotion but makes the story better)
   

All of these choices got me to thinking about how experienced leaders like to make decisions by being given choices and understanding the consequences of each choice.  In my experience as a leader I have grown to appreciate those who clearly articulate choices, outline the consequences for each choice, and have a recommendation as to which choice should be chosen.   

Having the choices and consequences clearly outlined serves a couple of purposes.  First, it gives an assurance that viable alternatives have been considered and not swept under the carpet; second, it enables the decision makers to have a rich dialogue about each alternative and helps ensure that the best decision gets made.  Some of the best decision-making discussions I've been involved with have been facilitated with clearly articulated choices and consequences.  

Oh, and which hand lotion did I use?  I haven't a clue.

Lonnie Pacelli
Keynote Speaker | Board Director | Autism Advocate | Author | Project Management Expert | Microsoft/Accenture Veteran 
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