The Experienced Eye

When the effects are not serious and can be easily reversed, decisions can be quickly made. When that is not the case, then decisions should be slowly made.

That's a simple rule, on its face. In practice, of course, the effects of decisions may not be easily predictable. Seemingly minor decisions can put forces in play that produce serious problems and it may be years before the pattern is discernible.

This is where experience comes in. The experienced decision maker may not have an advantage in spotting what can go right but he or she usually has a much stronger ability to predict what can go wrong.

They've learned those lessons in a very hard school. It is important for them to know, however, precisely what was learned so they don't prescribe too large a dosage of caution.

The experienced eye should not be a fearful one.