Decision-Driven: Mastering the Triple-A Rule

In today's fast-paced business environment, why do so many meetings end with more questions than answers? The answer often lies in mastering the Triple-A rule: Arresting Beginning, Absorbing Middle & Finish with Aplomb. This simple framework, when mastered, transforms into a profound life philosophy, guiding us thru’ challenges & opportunities alike.

The Triple-A approach's power lies in its versatility. Whether crafting an email, delivering a presentation, or managing a crisis, this framework provides a natural rhythm that guides both thought & expression. Over time, it evolves from a conscious technique into an intuitive process, shaping not just how we communicate but how we think & make decisions.

This transformation becomes particularly evident in the distinction between problem-solving & solution-seeking. While many excel at discussing problems & offering suggestions, few demonstrate the courage to make decisions & issue commands. This reluctance often stems from what might be called “the corporate paradox” - a dynamic where innovation is often constrained by risk aversion. As one executive observed, there exists “dynamism of spirit bound by the inertia of aversion to risk”! In other words, the drive to progress is often shackled by the fear of failure.

The truth of this observation manifests clearly in crisis situations. Consider a real-world example: during a major systems failure at a customer location, seven senior executives spent over an hour in discussion before bringing in a solution-seeker. The difference in approach was striking. While others were caught in circular discussions & blame allocation, the solution-seeker applied the Triple-A principle: arrested the situation with direct questions about solutions, absorbed critical information about restart times & vendor support & finished with aplomb by making a clear decision that resolved the crisis in three minutes!

This incident illuminates a crucial truth: a large majority of people prefer to discuss problems rather than take decisive action. This tendency is particularly pronounced in the private sector, where ironically, the stakes often paralyse rather than motivate decisive action.

Years spent in discussion mode rather than decision mode can atrophy one's risk appetite.

However, the Triple-A principle’s true depth reveals itself not just in professional scenarios but in life’s most challenging moments. When faced with a life-threatening accident that left its practitioner in a semi-comatose state for over two weeks, this framework evolved beyond a mere professional tool into a survival mechanism. It became a way to instantly accept the reality of a situation & begin the process of moving forward from that point. This acceptance, without judgment, then distilled into a life philosophy of six letters, three words & three syllables:

“IT IS SO.”

This deceptively simple mantra transcends typical philosophical consolations like “This too shall pass” or “People get what they deserve.” Unlike these situational comforts, “IT IS SO” applies universally across life's entire spectrum. It acknowledges reality without judgment - whether facing betrayal, witnessing human frailty, or experiencing loss. It works equally well in triumph & disaster, neither minimising pain nor magnifying joy.

What makes this philosophy particularly powerful is its alignment with solution-seeking. By accepting what is, without wishing it were otherwise, one creates the mental space necessary for finding real solutions. This approach doesn't simplify complexity; rather, it helps navigate it more efficiently, working in cycles rather than linear progressions - each rotation deepening understanding & accelerating the path to resolution.

And sometimes, decision-making isn’t just about grand strategy - it’s about the everyday high-stakes choices we make. For instance, when a colleague or subordinate launches into a venting spree, the instinct might be to intervene, correct, or push for productivity. But pause for a moment - apply the Triple-A rule. Arrest the impulse to react immediately. Absorb the context - maybe they had a nightmare commute due to a metro delay, torrential rain, a wardrobe malfunction, or just overslept. Then, with aplomb, choose whether to engage, empathise, or simply let them unload. Sometimes, the best decision is to do nothing at all!

The philosophy encompasses all of life's experiences - the good, the bad & everything in between, the crests & troughs, the zeniths & nadirs. It provides a framework for both accepting & acting, for both understanding & moving forward. In its embrace of life's full spectrum, it offers a path to both effectiveness & peace.

What are your thoughts on the Triple-A rule? How do you encourage decisive action in your team?

Share a time when you applied a similar principle & consider how you can apply the Triple-A rule in your very next meeting or decision!??