WHEN FACED WITH A BIG DECISION TAKE A LESSON FROM THE ANCIENT PERSIANS, CONSIDER IT BOTH DRUNK AND SOBER
Throughout history, cultures have developed methods of decision making that we might consider… unconventional. The ancient Persians had a distinct method, according to the Greek historian Herodotus. They would make crucial decisions while drunk, then go back and review their decisions after sobriety. For the opposite order, the same procedure was used. After making a decision while intoxicated, a person would drink and reevaluate it. If the decision did not fit both the intoxicated and sober, it would be rejected.
Although it may seem paradoxical, some behavioural experts claim that many people already make important decisions while subliminally intoxicated. The desire to make a significant choice or strategic change, according to behavioural economist Dan Ariely, intensifies emotions and puts people in what he refers to as a "hot" condition.
People may make choices that they wouldn't typically make in a cool or detached emotional state when they are hot or emotionally aroused. There was a noticeable difference when they were asked to predict how they would react to situations in both hot and cold conditions.
According to Ariely, "the conclusions were unambiguous and consistent—overwhelmingly clear." Respondents in hot states were more likely to take risks and engage in unethical behaviour. The study participants were also totally ignorant of the extent to which they could be altered by an aroused emotional atmosphere.
These two lessons highlight how crucial it is to distinguish between hot and cold decisions in many facets of life. However, it's especially crucial in the corporate world. Auction fever, often referred to as competitive arousal, is a condition associated with hot and cold decision making. People who participate in auctions or competitive events end up "winning at any cost," where the win is related to both the situation's outcome and outperforming the competitors.
Skilled negotiators frequently manipulate this predisposition. Brokers might, for instance, persuade prospective purchasers to take immediate action by informing them that they are up against anonymous competitors who have a short window of time. Although there isn't a rival or a deadline in actuality, the appearance of competition and urgency has been created. The potential customer's emotional state is elevated as a result, which could hasten their decision to buy.
Therefore, even though the Persian practice of intoxicated deliberation may seem counterintuitive, contemporary study now validates its ingenuity. The cold state reevaluation that comes after the inebriated decision is actually the "genius" in question, although conventional wisdom holds that one cannot occur without the other. It's crucial to understand how much our emotional state affects our judgment, even if you're not really interested in attempting this tactic. Being conscious of a "hot" emotional state at the time and taking some time for a "cool" reassessment later can make the difference between a regretful impulse and a wise decision.