Telephone Excellence by Mike Mitchell

It Always Pays to Think Ahead
By Mike Mitchell

Thinking ahead seems like something you might do without really much thought. We all think ahead to some extent when planning tasks, projects, or activities. However, what I'm talking about is really thinking through various situations and scenarios that involve more than just simple tasks or projects.

By thinking ahead, we can avoid embarrassing or awkward situations that result from making emotional snap decisions or statements. This process also gives us the confidence to make our recommendations in a way that supports our point without alienating others.

Here are some real-world examples of thinking ahead in your job.

Gather Information
Gather as much information about the situation at hand, and seek to understand the opinions of other stakeholders. Understand the implications of the different viewpoints on the company and what would best support the desired outcome for the hospital.

Review and Compare
Review each recommendation for similarities and differences and compare them to yours. Anticipate what objections someone might have to your recommendations. This may help you understand opposing points of view, or cause you to modify your view, building a broader consensus for a particular action or process.

Chose Your Words Wisely
Carefully choose the right words in expressing your thoughts and recommendations. They way you state your case can have a tremendous impact on how others receive your recommendations. For example, the right words can soften the negative effect on coworkers or hospital leaders with opposing viewpoints. As we all know, sometimes it's how you say something rather than what you say. This is part of office politics - making your point while maintaining strong, positive relationships.

Advantages of thinking ahead:
*Enables you to be prepared to make the most informed decision possible
*Gives you the confidence to present and support your views
*Identifies obstacles and objections to be overcome
*Fosters a teamwork approach to situations and helps build consensus
*Enables you argue intelligently, for or against, other recommendations
*Maintains positive relationships with your co-workers and hospital leadership

Gain Advantage and Build Credibility
While thinking ahead takes more time and requires us to exert a little extra brain power, it most assuredly helps us to develop a more open-minded and logical way of solving problems. So the next time you find yourself in a situation where yours is but one of several recommendations on the table - think ahead. You just might discover that thinking ahead not only gives you a distinct advantage in preparing and defending your position, but it also builds your credibility for the future.

- Mike