When teams are presented with a decision, it often comes with what seems like a limited set of options. Usually two or maybe three. The team debates briefly, votes (if necessary), picks one, and moves on.
Case closed. Or is it?
Let’s take a simple, everyday example: Replacing a roll of toilet paper. Do you hang the roll so the paper flows over the top or under from the back?
It’s a surprisingly passionate topic. People have opinions. Some cite the original 1891 toilet paper patent (which clearly shows the roll hanging over the top, by the way).
Seems like a binary decision, right? Over or under. A or B.
But stop for a second. Is that really the only way to hang a roll of toilet paper?
What about a vertical holder where the paper rolls sideways? Or a side dispenser built into the wall? Or no holder at all? Just place it on a shelf or keep it in a drawer?
The point is: We often default to the choices presented to us, rather than pausing to ask, “Are these the only options?”
In team meetings, especially when the pressure is on, this trap can be costly. You’re handed two choices. The team picks one. But no one stops to question whether those are the right options, or if there are better ones entirely. Or even if they pause, they dismiss the other options as “not feasible.” But are they not feasible or just not preferable?
This isn’t just about toilet paper. It’s about creative, critical thinking. It’s about recognizing when a false binary is being presented. It’s about empowering teams to slow down just enough to consider the full range of possibilities.
So the next time your team faces a decision, try:
- Asking, “Are we choosing from what’s easy or what’s best?”
- Challenging, “Who decided these were the only options?”
- Exploring: “What would we do if neither option existed?”
Because high-performing teams don’t just choose between A or B. They invent C, question D, and sometimes toss the whole alphabet out to design a new solution.
So… are you over or under? Maybe the real answer is to rethink the holder!
Related Articles:
Why Your Leadership Team Isn’t Aligned And How to Fix It
When Team Training Isn’t the Answer
Use Metaphors to Focus the Team Vision
Discover more from Kristin Arnold - The Extraordinary Team
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Kristin Arnold
KRISTIN ARNOLD, MBA, CSP, CPAE-Speaker Hall of Fame, CPF | Master has been facilitating meaningful conversations between executives and managers to make better decisions and achieve extraordinary results for 30+ years. She's a leading authority on moderating panel discussions and passionate about finding the perfect olive to complement a vodka martini.
