6 Deadly Miscalculations & How to Avoid Them

“I don’t think Corona is as big a threat as people make it out to be.” This quote by the acting chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Tomas Philipson, was made on February 18, 2020. Within one short month of this statement, our country and the world were experiencing a catastrophic disruption of a magnitude few have ever experienced before. This can be summed up in one word: miscalculation. We are all fallible people, and as leaders, we have all likely made miscalculations somewhere, sometime. Here are six of the most common miscalculations and how we can avoid them.

Miscalculation #1: Your words.

If you have ever gone to a gun range for target shooting, you have an appreciation for the phrase, “Ready, fire, aim.” Dumb and dangerous may be a good summary of that strategy! And the same can be true with our words. Using the wrong words at the wrong time with the wrong tone is a serious miscalculation often with unintended consequences. So – think first, speak second. Parents often tell their children to “use their words”. In reality, sometimes we need to use less words if the words we are going to use are more harmful than silence.

Miscalculation #2: Your decisions.

On numerous occasions, our consultants have sat down with leaders to do an after-action review of a decision that had unintended consequences. This includes decisions such as expansion, hiring and firing. We often tell our clients that one miscalculation in hiring can result in the loss of $250,000 or more. Trust me. We have seen this happen… a lot. Our decisions have consequences. So – as Proverbs 15 says, seek counsel before you make important decisions.

Miscalculation #3: Your finances.

It did not take long from the start of the Coronavirus crisis to realize many families, businesses and nonprofits were going to quickly come up short on cash. There are various factors that contribute to this – some within the control of people and some not so easily controlled. But the lesson is real regardless of the cause: a miscalculation in finances can result in little to no margin when a crisis hits. So – it really is never too late to consider where and how you can build a personal and organizational financial model that is sustainable. While cash may not be king, it is certainly essential for long-term viability and planning.

Miscalculation #4: Your planning.

Last year, a few members of our Center team and I were in Canada visiting an organization that is doing amazing work. Both our Associate Director and I NEVER like to be late, and we have NEVER missed a flight in all our years of consulting together. This is because we always leave plenty of time for the unexpected. Like getting a flat. Experiencing an earthquake. Or me using the restroom seven times on the way. Well, we did not leave as early as I had wanted to get back to the airport. And yes, we missed the flight due to a massive traffic jam. So – plans should always include scenarios of things that could happen that could impact your goals.

Miscalculation #5: Your health.

When I was 30, a white cream filled donut was my breakfast of choice most mornings on my drive to the college where I was teaching. This, along with working three jobs and doing graduate studies, did not equate with looking like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. To be sure, I miscalculated the importance of managing my health gauge which resulted in gaining weight that I had to work extra-hard to lose two decades later. So – don’t underestimate the long-term effects of the physical and spiritual lifestyle decisions you are making right now. One way or another, there is always a cumulative effect.

Miscalculation #6: Your relationships.

Have you noticed how people often fall in love quickly but how their marriages unwind slowly? Or how you build a great connection with a friend but it eventually hits a wall? How does that happen? To start, there are a lot of pressure points on relationships. Friends have different personalities, people experience geographic changes like a move, and sometimes people’s values change resulting in distancing. Compounding those, marriages include additional pressure points like financial pressures, health issues, and kids. But I believe one of the greater risks to relationships is miscalculating the impact of what damage can be done when conflict is ignored, disinterest grows, and hairline cracks are not tended to. So – don’t underestimate the pressure and stressors that are common to every relationship. Keep talking. Be quick to ask for help and slow to give up.

Contact us to learn how our experienced coaches can help you consider any miscalculations you may be making in your organization or leadership.

Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.