Consultation

When faced with multiple choices at hand, it might be difficult to obtain a certain particular solution. In the present date, decision making needs to be taken at every stage and with availability of multiple substitutes, it’s often difficult to promptly decide on what institution to join, which job to take etc. This Paradox of Choice occurs because instead of the choices being at two opposite spectrums, they are only differentiated to a slight extent and as one wants to make the absolute best choice for themselves, can’t easily decide. A series of consultation activities is taken then.

A basis of decision making made easier based on suggestions and tips from expertise from an external party when there are selections to be taken. One approaches a certified organization like manpower, agencies or informal groups like chitchats and individual opinions while seeking consultations. Humorously, some individuals are hired to think and ask questions about what could go wrong and what would be the best measure to be taken for the organization, these people are generally termed, Advisors.

The first step to satisfactory consultation and decision making is data collection and situation analysis. When seeking recommendations on various aspects of a business or company, the management team follows several systematic analytical tools such as SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis etc. These tools help the management look at certain problems or suggestions from multiple views. It unfolds unexplored dimensions and helps get a clear-cut picture of what needs to be dealt with.

Such SWOT or PESTLE Analysis can also be taken into consideration while making personal decisions, however for a simpler and easier approach 'Why Analysis' is preferred. It is a data collection tool that urges you to ask ‘Why?’ every time you reach an answer. For instance: QS: Why am I sick? Ans: I have a stomach ache. QS: Why do I have a stomach ache? Ans: I haven’t visited the bathroom in days. And the question-answer continues. This particular technique is exemplary as it helps you go in-depth about a certain matter.

Finding an actual tangible or intangible untangled thought helps one track down the major issue that’s present on the core and accordingly reach an actual decision faster. The decisions are also more realistic and since it's affecting the roots of the problem or suggestion, is more precise and works in favour. This course of action might take some time in comparison to deciding but it saves hours in the long run and makes other pending or later decision making faster. It is also the route of consciousness and mindfulness.

However, one needs to be careful while consulting and taking decisions from external people. Intending to consult with people that aren’t proficient in the particular field can leave one more confused, frustrated and disorientated. The human nature of greed, power and control might also make consulting bias and not fruitful.

Also, consultation from a foreign party might lead to Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection. One takes a trip to a doctor to consult about their body but what verification of truth does the doctor has that it’s a mere Common Cold or a Sinus infection? When one needs to rely on words other than action, it’s best to have some prior knowledge and information of the matter you seek consultation from. With the availability of the internet, it isn’t difficult to reach out to a trusted site.

Regardless of how consultation is given or taken, majority of time the course of action determines the true outcome. One cannot predict the future or always make the right choices but consultation helps ease down the choosing process and provide convenience outcomes