"Care… Really Care… But Not That Much!" Those of us who run businesses are constantly looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition and make the best decisions. But have you ever considered the impact of your emotions on these decisions? In the words of the great negotiator Herb Cohen, "Care... Really Care... But Not That Much!" Cohen's words were directed at success in negotiating. But there are also lessons to be learned as it relates to the world of business strategy. Emotions can cloud our judgment and blind us to potential pitfalls. I'm intrigued by the art of "detached emotion" and how it can lead to better decision-making and business clarity. Let's take a deeper look inside the idea.
The Danger of Emotional Negotiations
Negotiating with too much emotion can be detrimental to your success. I'll use a personal story that might resonate with many. When my wife and I were looking for our 1st house, we were out driving with our realtor. We pulled up to only the 4th house on the list, walked throughout the house, checked out the back deck and yard and my wife was in love and she immediately declared, "I'll take it!" In that moment, I lost all negotiating power. Fortunately it was a pretty favorable deal that didn't require much negotiating. But have you ever had a similar experience in a business negotiation? Being too emotionally invested can lead to less control over the outcome. By detaching yourself from the emotional aspect of the negotiation, you gain the ability to assess the situation objectively and make decisions based on logic and strategy. In business, whether
it's negotiating a deal, making a hire or fire decision, or any other important
decision, it is important that you care, but not that much.
The Friend vs. Employee Dilemma
Another extremely challenging dilemma that we can face running a business is when personal relationships intersect with professional responsibilities. We see this often with businesses that have started with a smaller core group and are now growing. Imagine having to address the underperformance of someone who has become a friend or a loyal employee who has been part of your sales team for some time. It can be challenging to have difficult conversations in these types of scenarios. However, detaching yourself from the emotional connection helps you to prioritize the success of your business over personal relationships. These situations require making difficult decisions as well as balancing compassion with accountability. But by addressing the issue head-on, you demonstrate your commitment to the growth and success of your company. This may mean creating compassionate alternatives or redirecting team members to other responsibilities that use a differnt set of skills. However, often the most compassionate thing you can do is make the best decision for all parties involved.
Letting Go Of Your Baby
A major challenge as a business leader is dealing with ideas and projects that we hold dear. When we are personally invested in these ideas and projects, it is difficult but crucial to recognize when they are not resonating with consumers. Your emotional attachment to a product or service should not blind you to the feedback and data provided by your members of your team who can see what's happening with consumer perceptions. By detaching yourself from your emotional investment, you can make informed decisions about whether to pivot, improve, or let go of a particular offering. This detachment allows you to focus on what truly benefits your business and your customers.
The Joy Of This Blog
The Joy of this blog lies in the power of effective decision making in the context of detached emotion. By caring, but not that much, you can navigate negotiations, address performance issues, and make objective decisions about your products and services. Embracing this approach empowers you to lead your business with clarity and focus, always staying one step ahead of the competition. So, as you embark on your next business endeavor, remember the words of Herb Cohen: "Care... Really Care... But Not That Much!