“We need more data before we can decide.”
I’ve said it. You’ve probably said it. It sounds rational.
But I’ve learned to recognize it for what it often is: a socially acceptable way to avoid making a decision.
Here’s what I notice in practice:
The data request feels prudent.
The team goes away for two weeks gathering information.
They return with analysis that confirms what we already suspected.
Then someone asks for one more data point.
Meanwhile, the market moved.
The problem isn’t that we need data. It’s that we’re using data requests to delay risk.
Some decisions need deep analysis. Most need clear thinking and reasonable confidence.
The question isn’t whether we have enough data.
It’s whether we’re using data requests to avoid the discomfort of deciding under uncertainty.
