Executives make an average of 35,000 decisions every day, 50-100 of which are significant decisions relating to strategic, operational or tactical decisions and routine approvals.
In leadership, where decisions decide the destiny of our organizations, we often find ourselves juggling between the impulsive urges that drive action and the cool-headed logic needed for strategic direction.
Enter the metaphorical "elephant and the rider." The metaphor of the "elephant and the rider" was coined by psychologist Jonathan Haidt in his book “The Happiness Hypothesis” and is used to describe the relationship between the emotional and rational aspects of human behavior.
Imagine the metaphor like this:
The elephant — big, powerful and occasionally stubborn, charging directly over everything in its way towards the nearest watering hole(or solution) - symbolizes our impulsive, emotional reactions to situations.
Meanwhile, perched atop the elephant, clutching tightly to its map, trying to steer towards the best path forward – the rider symbolizes our rational mind - thoughtful, analytical and planning focused.
The Rider, holding the reins and directing the elephant seems to be the leader. But the elephant, our emotional impulsive and reactive side is far bigger and stronger than the rider.
It is important to know that we are neither the rider, nor the elephant. We are both, we have both inside us.
I recognize my own elephant when I become frenetically action-orientated, doing 10 things at once without thinking things through with any forethought. At times like this, I move to action and getting things done becomes more important to me than getting the best possible result. This is when I usually end up with a result that is average at best.
Recall the last time when you got emotionally triggered by an email: the elephant in you might have driven you to react impulsively writing back without considering the bigger picture. Or the time when you were preoccupied with a great idea that got you so excited you had to make it happen today. At those times the elephant has charged and the rider in you steadily tries to rein in the chaos with spreadsheets and calming affirmations.
If we are mostly driven by our elephants, we may move to action so quickly that we will behave impulsively and not thinking through consequences; if we are mostly driven by our riders, we may overthink decisions and miss opportunities by being too slow or unable to take action.
The impact of this for executives can be great, our decisions ripple through our teams, clients, and beyond. Therefore, mastering the art of balancing these two—think yin and yang, fire and water—becomes crucial.
Being aware of our emotional and impulsive elephant and working with it can create a harmony between the two that only improves our ability to make balanced and effective decisions.
Understanding the Dynamics
1. Embrace Your Inner Elephant: Emotions bring colour to our decisions—they fuel passion, spark innovation, and can drive change. Acknowledging and harnessing these emotions can lead to creative break throughs and a workplace that's human and innovative.
2. Guide Your Rational Rider: Rationality keeps us grounded—analyzing data, weighing pros and cons, and planning for the future like a well-prepared leader. The rider's job is to steer the elephant away from tempting shortcuts towards decisions that are weak and short term.
Practical Strategies for Balance
Ask yourself who is in control: In moments of decision making ask yourself who is in control as this point, the elephant or the rider?
Take a Timeout: if the elephant starts trumpeting loudly, take a moment to breathe. This pause allows the rational rider to climb back on and assess the situation with the level-headedness needed.
Move: if the rational rider is overthinking their way to a standstill, get up, go for a walk and get yourself moving. Acknowledge that you have thought about the decision long enough and it’s time to consider what decision feels right.
Embrace Team Brainstorms: you can also surround yourself with a diverse herd of opinions. Encouraging everyone to share their ideas not only boosts team morale but also ensures decisions are well-rounded, like a perfectly balanced seesaw.
Let yourself Roll with the Punches: Understand that decisions can be as fluid as a river—sometimes meandering, occasionally turbulent. Embrace adaptability by refining strategies based on feedback and changing conditions.
Cultivating Balanced Leadership
Balancing impulsivity and rationality isn't just about making decisions; it's about creating a workplace culture that values both spontaneity and strategy. By striking this balance, we not only lead with finesse but also foster a workplace where innovation flourishes.
As we navigate the complexities of leadership, let us remember that the elephant and the rider are allies - a dynamic duo in the quest for organizational success. By leveraging their strengths in harmony, we can foster a culture of excellence where decisions are made with wisdom and foresight.
Here's to leading with balance and clarity.