Dr. Jean, The Results Queen® continues her Dealing with Difficult People series with The Maybe Person.
What do you do with someone who just can't seem to make a decision?
Maybe this. Maybe that. Maybe they'll commit. Maybe they won't.
The Maybe Person isn't necessarily trying to be difficult. They often see both sides of a situation and struggle with the discomfort that comes with making a definitive choice. Rather than risk making the wrong decision, they avoid making one altogether.
For a fast-moving leader or entrepreneur, that indecision can be incredibly frustrating.
Dr. Jean explains why the answer isn't simply pushing harder. Instead, leaders can create a safer environment for decision-making, explore potential obstacles, recognize the hedge words that signal uncertainty, and develop systems that help the Maybe Person confidently move forward.
She also connects this personality to EOS® and LMA, explaining why some employees need more than leadership. They need consistent management, accountability, and follow-through after the decision has been made.
Because getting someone to say yes isn't the finish line.
The decision still has to turn into action.
The Maybe Person doesn't need you to make the decision for them. They need an environment and a process that makes it safer to decide.
Help them explore the options, identify potential obstacles, make the best decision they can with the information they have, and understand that new information doesn't mean the original decision was a failure.
You can always pivot.
The next time someone on your team keeps saying "maybe," don't immediately push them for an answer.
Ask: What's keeping you from making the decision?
Then help them explore the options, identify the obstacles, and create a process for moving forward.
And once they've decided, don't disappear. Reinforce the decision and stay involved until it becomes action.
Contact Dr. Jean here:
Website: www.gettingresultswithdrjean.com
Email: jean@cavemanbrain.com