It takes 3 options to have a choice.

As a company owner and CTO, I'm constantly being asked to make an either-or decision, picking from two extreme options. I see this pattern everywhere, in contract negotiations, business decisions, software architecture, HR decisions...

When you only see two ways, it's often a false dilemma.

Many times there is a third option that is better for everyone.

It could be an option that combines the advantages of both ways, or just a less extreme version of one, or a completely different approach to solving the problem.

That's why I never take a decision until I see more than just 2 options.

Examples of the 3rd option:

• "either It's my decision or your decision" => it's your decision, but let me advise you before you make it

• "are we buying it or not?" => is rental an option? or negotiate the price

• "are we giving the customer a discount or not?" => give a discount in return for something e.g. public case-study

• "are we doing this risky/expensive thing or not?" => do an experiment, and risk a small budget to reduce uncertainty before going all in

• are we going with this tool or that => can we integrate both? can pick one and change some processes to mitigate disadvantages?

When faced with an alternative, ask yourself a question:

If the third option were possible, what would it look like?

Be creative.