11 Rules for Making Better Decisions and Alleviating Panic in the Ranks
We live in fast-paced, uncertain, complex, polarized times … which frequently require decision-making under challenging circumstances. Regardless of the situation at hand – and whether it’s mundane, or truly life-or-death – how one responds is under that individual’s control.
As a public relations firm with more than 60 years of experience dealing with crisis and conflict in a wide variety of industries and sectors, we at SCG Advertising + Public Relations are convinced every organization needs a process for complex decision-making and dealing with “moments of truth.” Does your group have panic rules?
The NFL’s Los Angeles Rams do, and they use them to guide on- and off-the-field decision-making. Team General Manager Les Snead recently explained panic rules during an interview on the Daily Stoic podcast. Snead based the rules in question on Stoicism, a school of philosophy that originated in ancient Greece and Rome. It’s a life philosophy that seeks to maximize positive emotions, reduce negative emotion, and help individuals to hone character virtues. Podcaster, author, and speaker Ryan Holiday has recently shone new light on Stoicism via his Daily Stoic brand.
So, from the Stoics, here are 11 basic panic rules.
ANTCIPATE
“The man who has anticipated the coming of troubles takes away their power when they arrive.” – Seneca
DON’T FEAR CHANGE
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl
CHALLENGE IS OPPORTUNITY
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” – Seneca
WHEN IN DOUBT, DO THE RIGHT THING
“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.” – Marcus Aurelius
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS
“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” – Epictetus
FIND CALM, TAKE PAUSE, BREATHE
“It is essential that we not respond impulsively… take a moment before reacting and you find it easier to maintain control.” — Epictetus
STAY FOCUSED
“He who is everywhere is nowhere.” – Seneca
BE COURAGEOUS
“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.” – Marcus Aurelius
PREPARE TO BE BOLD
“More is lost by indecision than wrong decision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity.”— Cicero
INACTION CAN BE THE BEST ACTION
“You always own the option of having no opinion.” – Marcus Aurelius
SEEK COUNSEL, ASK FOR HELP
“Don’t be ashamed to need help. Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you’ve been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what? – Marcus Aurelius
The concept of panic rules goes well beyond simply navigating conflict. It provides a reliable framework for addressing key business, ethical, and social issues. As Stoic philosopher Cicero said, “Glory follows virtue as if it were its shadow.”
Click here for a helpful graphic of the panic rules.
