Most people make decisions by defaulting to the first option that feels right. Parrish proposes a six-step framework that turns decision-making from a reaction into a practice. Step 1 — Define the real problem. Not the surface symptom, but the actual problem. Many decisions fail at this step because people solve the wrong thing. The frustration in your team is a symptom. The real problem might be unclear expectations, not bad people. Step 2 — Explore possible solutions. Force yourself to generate at least three options before choosing. The first solution that comes to mind is usually the most obvious one, not the best one. Step 3 — Evaluate the options. Weigh the costs and benefits of each clearly. Be honest about what you do not know. Notice when the Emotion or Ego Default is trying to pick for you. Step 4 — Decide and act. A good decision made promptly is almost always better than a perfect decision made too late. Step 5 — Build in a margin of safety. Never bet everything on a single outcome, even a confident one. Position yourself so that if you are wrong, the damage is survivable. Step 6 — Learn from what happened. Treat every decision as data. What did you assume? What actually happened? What would you do differently? This framework does not guarantee good outcomes. What it does is guarantee that your decisions are made by you rather than by your defaults.