Management Tip of the Day: Make a Critical Trade-Off

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 Make a Critical Trade-Off Most important business decisions require compromise: To do one thing, you have to give up another. Next time you need to decide between conflicting priorities, try doing these three things: Set boundaries. Establish which options are on and off the table. Filter choices by asking: What are we absolutely unwilling to do? Balance the timing of wins. Ask what you'd be willing to trade in the long run for some important short-term gain — and vice versa. Gauge support. Estimate who will support a particular idea and who will oppose it. Ask whose backing you can live without, and whose buy-in you absolutely need. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the Harvard ManageMentor Online Module: Strategic Thinking. Buy the course and learn on-the-job skills for strategic thinking » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz HBR Press Book What can Duke Ellington and Miles Davis teach us about leadership? Learn how the improvisational "jazz mind-set" and the skills that go along with it are essential for effective leadership today. With fascinating stories of the insights and innovations from the jazz world, author Frank Barrett introduces a new model for leading and collaborating in organizations that can help anyone who leads teams or works with them. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Stop Checking Up on Your Employees Get Clear Direction from a Boss Who Is Vague Recognize Employees Who Step Up When Starting a Company, Get Your Values Right Ease Your Employees Into Change Don't Pursue a Doomed Idea Take Off Your Headphones See the Big Picture Before Making a Decision Win the Pitch Handle Both Kinds of Conflict All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing HBR's Morning Advantage The Harvard Business Review Morning Advantage delivers the latest business ideas from beyond HBR.org directly to your inbox every morning — and it is free! Sign up today >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)