MLSD500_Activity 4.3_Blog_Ballet Slippers or Adorable_Wathen_Sandra

MSLD500_Activity 4.3_Blog_Ballet Slippers or Adorable_Wathen_Sandra

This is my blog to reflect on the TED video by Sheena Lyengar on the art of choosing…The video provided such a unique approach on one’s thinking of choices. Before going any further, it is noteworthy to express my sincere admiration for Sheena in the fact that she is blind and carried out the powerful presentation with utmost professionalism and charisma while applying academia views.  I was so impressed with her presentation skills and her theory of thinking as it applies to making choices.

Sheena mentions three (3) assumptions of choices that Americans make about choosing which are:  1. Make your own choices; 2. the more the choices, the more likely you have to make the best choice.  Basically, the more options; the more choices;  3. Never say no to choices; because you then constrain your options.

The implications of Sheena’s comments on Leadership from my perspective - for an effective leader must consider the “Power and Purpose of Choices” and the “Value of Choice” and the ability to see differences in options. 

That making your own choices is a private and self defining act and the perspective of division of self from others when making choices.  But not to lose insight of that fact that some do not want to make choices individually, but rather choose from a group purview.  An effective leader will recognize this and critically think of the considerations for best approach for providing options for choices.

It is imperative for leaders to consider people’s beliefs, cultures, rearing, etc., when providing choices in that it will affect the perception of those options to those choices. Another insight that Sheena provided was the fact that we all do not see choices in the same way.  This it is something that leaders need to consider when providing choices to individuals. 

You can have options, however; depending on one’s view of those options, your choices may not be the same as someone else’s based on how they see it – they may not be seeing the same options!  It is the job of the effective leader to understand the “Power and Purpose of Choice”!