Skip to content
Logo of blog www.exploitingchange.com by Alcera Consulting Inc.
  • About
    • Richard Martin
    • Alcera Consulting Inc.
  • Services
    • Consulting
    • Facilitation
    • Training
    • Speaking
  • Blog
  • About
    • Richard Martin
    • Alcera Consulting Inc.
  • Services
    • Consulting
    • Facilitation
    • Training
    • Speaking
  • Blog
Contact
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Geopolitics
  4. »
  5. Think Before You Act

Think Before You Act

Share this post

  • Richard Martin
  • October 29, 2017
  • 3:35 pm
  • No Comments
Picture of Richard Martin

Richard Martin

Richard Martin empowers leaders to outmaneuver uncertainty and drive change through strategic insight and transformative thinking.
All Posts
Copyright: Borislav Marinic | 123RF Stock Photo

By Richard Martin

The ongoing saga in Catalonia is an excellent illustration of how crucial it is to consider a range of scenarios before implementing a decision that could be heavy with consequences. And the scenarios shouldn’t all be rosy and positive for us. Consideration must be given to the worst-case possibility as well, so we know what we may be up against before acting. This entails a detailed consideration of competiting and opposing positions, as well as those of other stakeholders and bystanders. It also means preparing contingency plans for the most probable and dangerous possibilities so we aren’t caught flatfooted if they come to fruition.

A well-known radio commentator (and former politician) here in Montreal said this week that he had the impression that the Catalonian prime minister and regional authorities hadn’t really thought through the potential consequences of the independance referendum held a few weeks ago. I agree with him; both sides appear guilty of amateurish improvisation. It seems as though both the instigators of Catalonian independance and their opponents inside and outside Catalonia have given little or no thought to the inherent risks in their decisions and actions, as well as the range of possible responses of the Spanish government, population, businesses, and other countries. I also little or no evidence of forethought in securing international recognition for the referendum and subsequent moves. It’s as if it was all being driven by pure emotion, with not a lot of rational consideration of options.

Such conflicts usually build and fester over time until they reach a feverous level. And it takes two to tango. Threat generates counterthreat; action entails counteraction. Not all outcomes can be foreseen ahead of time, but a great many can be characterized to some extent and compared to see which are most probable and consequential. This is the essence of risk management.

Whether we’re talking about a political entity, a business, a non-profit organization or an individual person, prudent forethought should be given to the range of scenarios and options available or possible before deciding and acting. No forecasting or planning process is perfect, but the benefits of a disciplined and rigorous assessment of the situation and its various branches and outcomes will always pay dividends in better decision-making, management, and leadership. And this includes looking at the situation from your opponent’s or competitor’s standpoint. If I were to take this action, what would my opponent do?

It’s how we try to play sports and games, and it’s the essence of strategy, military, diplomatic, political, and commercial.

Copyright 2017 Alcera Consulting Inc.


Discover more from Exploiting Change

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ready to

Navigate change and strengthen your strategy?

Let’s get started.

Book a call

Share this post

Richard Martin, President of Alcera Consulting Inc.

Richard Martin

Richard Martin is the President of Alcera Consulting Inc., a strategic advisory firm collaborating with top-level leaders to provide strategic insight, navigate uncertainty, and drive transformative change, ensuring market dominance and excellence in public governance. He is the author of Brilliant Manoeuvres: How to Use Military Wisdom to Win Business Battles and the creator of the blog ExploitingChange.com. Richard is also the developer of Strategic Epistemology, a groundbreaking theory that focuses on winning the battle for minds in a world of conflict by dismantling opposing worldviews and ideologies through strategic narrative and archetypal awareness.

PrevPreviousReadiness Is Also About Seizing Opportunity
NextOvercoming the Disconnect ProblemNext

Seeking Agent or Publisher Introductions

Read More »

Competence Is the Heart of Leadership

Read More »

The Apocalypse Is Always Now: A Warrior’s Journey from Glory to Home

Read More »
Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5

You've come this far...

Ready to build a strategy

That is truly impactful?

Book a call

Logo of www.exploitingchange.com blog, by Alcera Consulting Inc.

I collaborate with top-level leaders to provide strategic insight, navigate uncertainty, and drive transformative change, ensuring market dominance and excellence in public governance.

Contact me

+1 (514) 453-3993

Latest Articles

  • Seeking Agent or Publisher Introductions
  • Competence Is the Heart of Leadership
  • The Apocalypse Is Always Now: A Warrior’s Journey from Glory to Home

Links

  • About
    • Richard Martin
    • Alcera Consulting Inc.
  • Services
    • Consulting
    • Facilitation
    • Training
    • Speaking
  • Blog
  • About
    • Richard Martin
    • Alcera Consulting Inc.
  • Services
    • Consulting
    • Facilitation
    • Training
    • Speaking
  • Blog

Sign up for weekly insights

Sign up for weekly insights

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Privacy Policy – Terms & conditions

Alcera Consulting Inc. © 2024 Copyright - All Rights Reserved

Socials

X-twitter