Insights Through the Rearview Mirror, December 25, 2020

Show Title: John Bouman: How Faith, Purpose, and a Clear Vision of Success Lead to Better Decisions

There are few places that require more skill in negotiation and a thicker skin than the political sphere. Today’s guest, a public interest lawyer with over four decades of experience, shares how he makes decisions that affect entire communities—and potentially the entire country—and does so navigating a profession where conflict and adversity among different parties is his day-to-day reality.

We address:

What is the best way to reach consensus among my peers?

How can I get skeptics to embrace my idea?

How do I reach people’s hearts and not just their minds when getting my vision heard?

Jon and Paul welcome public interest lawyer John Bouman, who speaks on the fundamental role of faith in his decision-making framework, the benefits of engaging in vigorous conversations with colleagues, the importance of starting with the end in mind, and why it pays in the long run to pause and take a step back in the aftermath of failure.

3 MAJOR POINTS DISCUSSED

Always be working toward a mission. As opposed to working toward a particular dollar goal or any of the other superficial trappings of success, know what drives you internally and let that purpose motivate your decisions.

Make better decisions through vigorous conversations with peers. Part of making good decisions is having the right information to add context to whatever it is you’re addressing. A great way to expand that information base, as well as infuse yourself with confidence when finally making the decision, is to engage in dialogue, especially with those who have a stake in the decision. John says it best: “There’s nothing more enjoyable, rewarding, and conducive to good decisions than a vigorous back-and-forth with colleagues who have permission from each other to put ideas out there and also have them batted down to work toward good decisions.”

If you’re trying to get your idea heard, always start with the end in mind. If you have an idea or proposal that requires the support of certain parties to bring it to reality, it’s crucial to have a crystal clear picture in your mind of what success looks like. If you know exactly what outcome you’re going for, you’ll be able to work backwards to figure out how to get there. Even if some of these key people are skeptical of your idea, as long as everyone actually knows what you’re trying to achieve, it’s much easier to define the tactics and strategies you’re proposing to hit that goal. You also have a better chance at inspiring confidence in others when you can clearly explain the rationale behind your decision.