The only thing worse for companies than making bad decisions is having a deeply flawed decision-making process. Every business leader faces stressful situations that require immediate action, but the final choices can often by tainted by a destructive trio of hubris, arrogance, and denial. 

Left unchecked, an environment affected by these harmful influencers will produce an urgency that leads to sudden fell-swoop decisions. This course of action is a symptom of an almost primordial fight-or-flight instinct to deal with a threatening situation in a way that provides immediate relief and a sense of security. It can initially deliver immediate gratification but can be dangerous to an organization in the long term.

Over time, the results of these panic-fuelled choices can even lead to an implosive force that destroys a company from the inside out. The key to preventing a potential disaster is to recognize that we are all susceptible to these negative influences, remain awake to reality, and refuse to be HAD.

 …