Deciding with your head vs. your heart
“Use logic instead of emotions to make important decisions”. Sonya Parker
Emotions are mental states brought on by thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure.
Often, maybe too often, people make decisions either solely or largely based on their emotions as opposed to common sense and logic.
I am sure we all know people like this. On occasion each of us has made an emotion based decision, something we later regretted or changed because it was wrong or made little or no sense. It is easy to get caught up in emotions. Even when we know we are not making a wise decision we make it because we feel that it is right. That is why we must be careful in doing so and thinking with our heads instead of our hearts.
Logical decision-making refers to using reason to make choices.
A logical decision-maker uses evidence and develops arguments to draw conclusions and make decisions.
This is the type of decision making I have developed over the years. It stems from having a technical background both academically (I went to a technical high school and majored in Engineering in college) and through my professional work as a manager, director, corporate executive and consultant. My clients relied on sound judgement in my recommendations and improvement programs. I wanted them to trust my judgement and advice for them. My feelings on a matter were not something that mattered to them.
If you have ever tried to debate an emotionally driven person, you know how frustrating and sometimes hopeless such a discussion can be. Someone who is emotionally driven and dedicated to their emotions will typically not listen to reason or logic. You may indeed win the battle, but you will never win the war with them. You can get across you point of view, but in the end that is the most you will get.
“ Logic is easier said than done, emotions are easier done than said”. Unknown
It is somewhat true that many decisions are made based on emotions not logic.
Logic itself does not have a goal or any wish. We have to consider our emotions in evaluating the damage any risks might cause us. So, our decision has to take into account our feelings for or against various potential outcomes. We can logically quantify the damage, but the interpretation of the damage is determined by our emotions.
Logic is a rational way to accomplish the objectives.
It is used to identify both good and negative outcomes of a decision. If one is very angry with another person, logic might raise the option to hit the other person in the face, but also warn about possible outcomes. Judgment then lies with emotion in order make the final decision. Would the satisfaction of hitting the other person be worth more than the consequences of doing so?
Logic plays an important role in the decision making itself. It is stronger for decisions that have less personal impact, like many managerial decisions, even though there may be some possible emotional impact also regarding these decisions.
Every decision involves choices. We are able to respond fast to daily common decisions in an automatic way. Inertia plays a big role in decisions that seem similar to past decisions, but logic, when used, might raise reservations for such decisions when negative outcomes are identified. When such reservations are raised emotions respond, either by rejecting the logical arguments, or considering the impact and only then allowing us to make a decision.
A person who tries to influence another has to consider the possibility of rejection as a possible response.
This can be logically understood only when we are aware of the hidden threat of the negative emotion of being influenced.
Conclusions
So, when all is said, is it better to make decisions logically (With your head), or emotionally (With your heart}? My answer is, it depends.
That may seem like a cop out, but it really isn’t. Depending upon the circumstances one or the other is the correct answer. And in all cases, one should consider and utilize both before making a final decision.
As in all aspects of life, there is no one, absolute answer. If you allow for such, you may be and probably are making decisions without considering all aspects of the matter. To do so is wrong and when you are missing key inputs or information, you are more than likely to make a wrong decision, one you may pay a significant price for down the road.
I typically go with the logic side when making my decisions. But, I still listen to the emotional side before doing so. It may not change my ultimate decision, but it may allow me to modify it a bit.
There is no one right answer for each or even all of us. The sooner we realize and deal with this, the better.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter H. Christian was a founding partner and president of espi, a business consulting firm in Northeastern PA. Previously he was an Executive at Crayola Corporation. He has worked with 300+ clients in business development, profit improvement, operations, IS selection and implementation, and Project Management. He has 40+ years of experience in strategic and facility planning, CI, lean, and supply chain. He has helped companies to realize millions of dollars in cost reductions and profit improvements adding and retaining thousands of jobs. He has authored the Amazon bestselling business books, “What About the Vermin Problem?” and “Influences and Influencers” (4 out of 4 star review on Online Bookclub) which are highlighted in his profile. He is also published in a variety of professional magazines. He is most appreciative of Dr. Rodney Ridley and Donald Schalk of the O’Pake Institute, Alvernia University for their support in allowing him to teach this important course
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