Podcast
Questions and Answers
Background: Sales managers at a healthcare company have two competing assumptions to test.
Question: Sequence the steps the sales managers should take to test the assumptions systematically.
Instruction: Rank the following items in the correct sequence
Background: Sales managers at a healthcare company have two competing assumptions to test.
Question: Sequence the steps the sales managers should take to test the assumptions systematically.
Instruction: Rank the following items in the correct sequence
Decide how likely it is that the assumption is true = 2 Work out how much it will cost to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the assumption = 3 Determine the assumption’s risk rating = 1 Bonus = Bonus
What lines of questioning can you use to detect the assumptions that affect your day-to-day decisions?
Instruction: Choose all options that best answer the question.
What lines of questioning can you use to detect the assumptions that affect your day-to-day decisions?
Instruction: Choose all options that best answer the question.
Background: A beverage company’s most recent environmental impact report is over a decade old, and much has changed since it was originally produced. The employee-led leadership group needs to think critically about its recommendations and avoid basing its decisions on automatic assumptions.
Question: What practices can the members of the leadership group use to move from automatic thinking to critical thinking?
Instruction: Choose all options that best answer the question.
Background: A beverage company’s most recent environmental impact report is over a decade old, and much has changed since it was originally produced. The employee-led leadership group needs to think critically about its recommendations and avoid basing its decisions on automatic assumptions.
Question: What practices can the members of the leadership group use to move from automatic thinking to critical thinking?
Instruction: Choose all options that best answer the question.
A leader is tasked with evaluating several competing assumptions about an organization’s long-term strategy.
Question: What are actions the leader can take to thoroughly investigate each assumption?
Instruction: Choose all options that best answer the question.
A leader is tasked with evaluating several competing assumptions about an organization’s long-term strategy.
Question: What are actions the leader can take to thoroughly investigate each assumption?
Instruction: Choose all options that best answer the question.
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Study Notes
Testing Competing Assumptions
- Define the assumptions: Clearly articulate the two assumptions the sales managers are trying to test.
- Develop hypotheses: Formulate testable hypotheses based on each assumption.
- Design experiments: Design experiments or data collection methods to gather evidence that will support or refute each hypothesis.
- Collect and analyze data: Execute the experiments or data collection methods and analyze the results.
- Compare results: Compare the results obtained from each experiment to the corresponding hypotheses.
- Draw conclusions: Based on the analysis, draw conclusions about which assumption is more likely to be true.
- Implement findings: If necessary, adjust sales strategies, tactics, or approaches based on the conclusions drawn.
Detecting Assumptions in Decision-Making
- Examine your typical decision-making patterns: Pay attention to the decisions you make frequently and try to identify the underlying assumptions driving those choices.
- Reflect on past decisions: Consider past decisions you’ve made and assess if you were operating under any assumptions.
- Seek feedback from others: Ask colleagues, coworkers, or supervisors for their perspectives on your decision-making and any potential assumptions you might be making.
- Challenge your own viewpoints: Actively challenge your own thinking by asking probing questions like, "What if I'm wrong?", "Are there any alternative explanations?", or "What would others think?"
Moving from Automatic Thinking to Critical Thinking
- Seek Diverse Perspectives: Engage with individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints to challenge initial assumptions and encourage a broader range of perspectives.
- Actively Question: Regularly question the assumptions you are making. Ask yourself: "Why do I believe this?", "What evidence supports this?", and "Are there alternative explanations?".
- Consider Multiple Interpretations: Avoid jumping to conclusions and actively seek multiple interpretations of a situation or information. Explore different angles and avoid getting trapped in a single perspective.
- Challenge Existing Conventions: Be open to re-evaluating established practices and conventions. Don't automatically accept existing ways of doing things.
Thorough Investigation of Assumptions
- Gather Evidence: Research and gather evidence to support each assumption.
- Consider Historical Data: Review past data and trends to assess the validity of the assumptions.
- Conduct Interviews: Interview key stakeholders and subject matter experts.
- Analyze Market and Industry Trends: Understand the current market conditions and industry trends relevant to the assumptions.
- Develop Scenarios: Explore different scenarios and potential outcomes under each assumption.
- Use Decision-Making Frameworks: Utilize decision-making frameworks like SWOT analysis or decision trees to structure and organize the investigation of assumptions.
- Discuss with Experts: Consult with experts from different fields or disciplines to obtain independent perspectives and insights.
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Description
By challenging assumptions, we can uncover hidden biases, reveal new perspectives, and generate more innovative and effective solutions.
