Is Comparison good or bad ?

Decide with Datum - simply means baseline or reference

" Comparison is a thief of Joy" -- Theodore Roosevelt

You might have heard the above quote already

Excessive comparison or constant comparison with others lead to feelings of inadequacy, envy, or discontentment, as Roosevelt's quote suggests

Although it's undeniable fact that comparison is indeed a natural tendency ingrained in human behaviour, and comparisons can be necessary and constructive in many situations, especially while making critical decisions.

Hence it's important though to strike a balance and approach comparison mindfully thats where the "DATUM" comes in play, this concept was previously used in multiple geometric framework studies

Now Lets go through some experiences to understand this concept further:-

Experience 1: "Sharing a performance review discussion between an engineer and leader (short excerpts) as an example of how DATUM can be leveraged"

Engineer: I am eager to discuss my contributions to Project X, which I drove from start to finish. Given the scope and responsibilities I have managed, I believe it reflects the caliber of work often associated with more senior roles. 
Could we explore the possibility of promotion of mine to a level two steps ahead?"

Leader: I appreciate your dedication and the impressive ownership you've taken with your project. It's evident you've tackled significant responsibilities and delivered results. 
However, let's learn more about career progression within our organisation also,
Have you had a chance to review the role charters (responsibilities) we have? That outlines the specific expectations and competencies for each level

Engineer: No, not yet. but I have been comparing my progress with peers in different teams, and some seem to have advanced quicker, and I also consider, my efforts are superior

Leader: Appreciate your ambition for career growth. Before we delve into potential advancement opportunities, I would suggest taking some time to evaluate how your performance aligns with the expectations of the role (DATUM) you aspire to. Once you feel confident that you meet those criteria, I'm more than happy to explore potential level opportunities within the organisation together

Engineer: Sure, I will explore it and plan a follow up meeting afterwards        

Exploring data with datum of the engineer's performance and role, both leader and engineer can next engage in a more meaningful and evidence-based discussion about the promotion, ultimately increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome in the upcoming cycle.

Here is another relatable experience :-

Experience 2: Our team was discussing about defining OKRs (Objective Key results) and KPIs (Key performance indicators)

Team Member 1: As we're discussing defining our OKRs and KPIs for the upcoming quarter or year, one of our objectives is to improve X product capabilities by Y%.

Team Member 2: This sounds a solid objective, but how do we determine what percentage improvement is realistic and meaningful?

Team Member 3: We should start by establishing a baseline. What's the current percentage of capabilities for X product?

Team Member 1: "Good point. we need to know where we currently stand, we can compare it with industry standards or benchmarks. This is where DATUM comes in. We need to see how our product capabilities stack up against other similar apps and competitors."

Team Member 2: "Exactly. By comparing with DATUM, we can set a realistic target for improvement. It also helps us understand what's achievable and what might be stretching ourselves too thin."

Team Member 3: "That makes sense. Once we have a clear understanding of our current position and where we want to be based on DATUM, we can then define specific key results and actions to achieve our objective of improving X product capabilities by Y%."        

In above conversation, by integrating DATUM into the discussion, the team ensures that their objectives are well-informed and aligned with industry benchmarks, increasing the likelihood of success in achieving their goals.

"Lastly, sharing here a foundational template for applying the DATUM framework in format of a Pugh decision matrix, enabling thorough comparison of multiple options."

Example, you are looking to buy a mobile-phone,

1. First list out reference or baseline features like camera, screen size, battery life you find important for your usage i.e. find your DATUM
2. Like its filled in Option A, Fill out other options B and D etc with different mobile phone features based on your DATUM,
3. You can also give a score for each criteria with a weightage multipliers to decide the best scoring option taking sum

Hence such decision matrix above provides a structured approach to take complex decisions in life with confidence, applicable to a variety of life choices, ranging from deciding to study abroad, evaluating job opportunities, to purchasing a car. By systematically assessing various criteria against available options, individuals can make informed decisions tailored to their preferences and priorities

Lastly

It's important to be mindful of how comparison affects our emotions and self-esteem, especially in the age of social media , and also we shouldn't discount the constructive role that comparison plays in guiding our decision-making process.

As long as we approach comparison with a balanced perspective and use it as a tool for informed choice rather than a source of unnecessary pressure or discontent, it can surely help us make the right decisions and progress towards our goals.