Stable Equilibrium

As a 20-year professional, life’s been about fast decision making—many of them. As I reflect upon them, I see most trade-offs as quite repetitive. 2 people are fighting for power. Long-term gain vs. short term ones. Work-life balance vs. Hustle for glory. Junior committed a mistake – you let go or push him hard. Unreasonable ask – do you give in or fight. Or the likes.
Marginal calls don’t always have a clear answer.

While each has his own method, we at OfBusiness have seen one stand out for us.

It’s the belief that the world is/ should always be in a state of stable equilibrium. After every action, the opposite reaction. After a hot summer, the cool rains. After brakes, the accelerator. Else the world just won’t run.

So when taking one side in the trade-offs above, it’s better to take the other’s next time. A stable equilibrium is thus, maintained. Within a situation, too, it is important to be in stable equilibrium. So if you are taking one’s side, you ask back something (quid-pro-quo) right there, and if you are denying, its good to leave him with the hope that there is something in it for him or the next time will be his.

It may not be the greatest of rules to follow – but a good one for seniors to see you as balanced, peers as reasonable and juniors as fair.

Read more from CEO speaks Column:-
– The Proud Nationalist!
– Dealing with “big”