"La plupart des décisions ne sont pas binaires, et il existe généralement de meilleures réponses à découvrir si vous effectuez l'analyse et impliquez les bonnes personnes."

Choosing the best course of action is rarely a black-and-white decision. There's often a spectrum of possibilities, and by diving deeper into the details and collaborating with the right folks, you can uncover alternatives that are more effective and satisfying.

Think back to the workplace challenges you’ve faced. When you were stuck between two options, did you ever pause to think there might be a third, even better choice? That’s the essence of the idea here. It's a call to dig deeper and not settle for the obvious.

Take the Cuban Missile Crisis for instance. In 1962, Kennedy and his team were faced with a dire threat from Soviet missiles in Cuba. The immediate binary choices seemed to be either to attack Cuba or to do nothing. But Kennedy didn't rush into action. He and his team analyzed the situation thoroughly, involving experts and considering multiple strategies. Eventually, they found a diplomatic solution—publicly agreeing not to invade Cuba in exchange for the removal of the missiles, while secretly agreeing to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey. This third option wasn't initially obvious but proved to be the safest and most effective choice.

On a smaller scale, think about a friend of mine, Sarah. She was in a job she disliked, feeling she had to either stick with it or quit outright. But after some thought and discussions with mentors, she found a middle path—she negotiated a part-time schedule, enabling her to pursue a passion project while maintaining job security. It was an option that seemed hidden at first but turned out to be the best fit.

How can you apply this kind of thinking in your own life? Start by broadening your horizons when faced with a decision. Instead of seeing two clear-cut options, ask yourself, “What other possibilities exist?” Engage in brainstorming sessions, involve people with diverse perspectives, and do your homework. Sometimes, the best solution isn’t the one staring you in the face, but the one lurking in the shadows, waiting for you to uncover it.

Imagine walking into a coffee shop with a dilemma. You’re torn between quitting your job or sticking it out. You chat with a friend over lattes, and suddenly, another option emerges—taking a sabbatical to recharge without leaving the security of your job behind. This scenario isn’t far-fetched. We often overlook solutions that are a bit off the beaten path because we’re too focused on the immediate choices.

Next time you’re grappling with a tough decision, take a step back. Look at the bigger picture and the finer details. Bring in trusted friends or colleagues who can offer different angles. More often than not, you’ll discover that the best answers are beyond the binary choices—waiting for you to uncover them with a little bit of analysis and a lot of open-mindedness.

So, take your time. Think it through. And remember, life isn’t a series of yes-or-no decisions. There’s a whole lot more out there if you’re willing to look.