The OSCAR Model: Your Secret Weapon for Conquering Conversations
Let’s say you’re stuck in a conversation with a colleague who just can’t seem to make a decision. You’ve offered countless options, but your team member is stuck in a loop of “maybe” and “hmmm.”
This is where the OSCAR Model, can help the decision-making with ease!
What is an OSCAR Model?
OSCAR stands for Outcome, Situation, Choices, Actions, and Review.
It’s a framework that helps you guide anyone towards making a clear and informed choice. And the best part? It’s simple enough for anyone to use, yet powerful enough to break even the most stubborn indecision.
So, how does the OSCAR Model work?
- Outcome: Start by understanding the desired outcome.
- What do they want to achieve by making this decision? A study by Harvard Business Review found that focusing on goals increases the likelihood of success by 50%.
- So, ask them, “What are you hoping to achieve by choosing between these options?”
- Situation: Now, paint a clear picture of the current situation.
- What are the limitations, resources, and challenges involved? A report by McKinsey & Company revealed that projects with clearly defined contexts are 90% more likely to succeed.
- So, ask him or her, “What factors are influencing this decision?
- Are there any deadlines or budget constraints?”
- Choices: Present all available options objectively, avoiding bias. A study by the University of Chicago found that presenting multiple options leads to better decision-making by 60%.
- So, lay out all the options, explaining the pros and cons of each.
- Actions: With the options laid bare, it’s time to choose.
- Guide them through the process, asking clarifying questions to ensure he understands the implications of each choice.
- A study by Forbes found that asking open-ended questions increases engagement and drives better decisions by 20%.
- So, ask, “What are your concerns with each option? Which one aligns best with your goals?”
- Review: Don’t just leave it there! Schedule a follow-up to review their decision and its progress. So, check, asking how their chosen option is working and if any adjustments are needed.
The OSCAR Model is a flexible tool, not a rigid script. Adapt it to each conversation and let it guide you, not control you. And don’t be afraid to have fun with it!
Examples
Guiding your team towards a project decision
- Outcome: What do we want to achieve with this project? What impact are we aiming for?
- Situation: What resources and budget do we have? What are the potential risks and challenges?
- Choices: We can choose from option A, which focuses on speed, or option B, which emphasizes quality.
- Actions: Let’s analyze the costs, benefits, and timelines for each option and consider everyone’s input.
- Review: How’s the project progressing with our chosen approach? Are we on track to achieve our goals?
So, the next time you find yourself in a similar challenging conversation. Try to grab the OSCAR Model, it can help you towards clear and confident decisions. It needs a little practice and a bit of creativity, you can turn any conversation into a path towards success!
Sources:
- Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/: https://hbr.org/
- McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/: https://www.mckinsey.com/
- University of Chicago: https://news.uchicago.edu/: https://news.uchicago.edu/
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