When you’re asked to make a Snap Decision

Many business people place value on the ability to make decisions quickly; and, as a result, many of us can feel pressure to make up our minds in a hurry. This can be a particular issue when people are inexperienced for whatever reason—this may be their first job or a new company or industry—and they may feel a need to prove their competence by making decisions quickly. Obviously, that can be dangerous. The ethical decision-making tools described earlier assume that you’ll have some time to devote to the decision—to consider multiple sides of the issue and the inherent conflicts with any one course of action. Do your best to get the time to assess, think through, and gather more information. Also consider the following guidelines when a quick decision seems called for:

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of a hunch to alert you that you’re facing an ethical dilemma. Your gut is your internal warning system. As one senior executive at a multinational computer company said, ‘‘the gut never lies.’’ When your gut tells you something’s wrong, consider it a warning siren.

2. Ask for time to think it over. Most snap decisions don’t have to be that way.

Say something like, ‘‘Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you soon.’’

Bargaining for time is a smart way to give yourself a break—then you can really think about the decision and consult with others. It’s better to take the time to make a good decision than it is to make a bad decision quickly and have lots of time to regret it. Would you rather be known as cautious or reckless?

3. Find out quickly if your organization has a policy that applies to your decision.

4. Ask your manager or your peers for advice. You should consider your manager the first line of defense when you encounter an ethical dilemma.

Regardless of your level within the organization, never hesitate to ask for another opinion. This is where a trusted network comes in handy. If you have friends in human resources or the legal department, you can float the issue with them on a casual basis to see if there even is an issue.

5. Use the quick-check New York Times test (the disclosure rule). If you’d be embarrassed to have your decision disclosed in the media or to your family, don’t do it.