Making the right choice

If I start to listen for the lens of a “right choice”, there’s a really big variety of ways I hear it being spoken. Here are some of the variations:

• I want to make a decision I won’t regret
• I’m trying to figure out what I should do
• I just wish someone would tell me
• I just need to do this…

The lens of right and wrong is the thief of choice. And choice is the measure of leadership.

If there’s a “right” decision for me to make, then there isn’t really a choice over here with me. I just have to determine what is “right” and then make the corresponding decision. It sounds a lot like choice, but it actually removes the choice entirely from my hands and puts it completely in the hands of whatever external source determines the “right” decision.

I often turn to right and wrong in an attempt to avoid the consequences of my choice. If I can know for sure that I’ve made the “right” decision, then hopefully that minimizes the consequences of what I chose. As an added bonus, I can defend the decision, even if there are unpleasant consequences.

“Look, I’m sorry for how this landed on you, but here’s why I did it.”

It’s not my fault. I made the right choice.

What’s the “right” way for a flower to grow? What about a baby, learning how to stand upright?

Our path is there in front of us, waiting for us to walk it.

The notion of a right answer provides some comfort, but ultimately hinders our growth and potential.

How does your lens for right and wrong sound? And where do you see yourself using this in the hopes that you can minimize or avoid the consequences of a particular choice?