My Insight from IBM: No Second-Guessing

“At IBM, the idea is not to make the right decision; it is to make the decision right.”

When I worked in Wall Street I followed IBM very closely and was often quoted in newspapers and magazines when IBM made news or reported financial results. I got to know many of the distinguished IBM CEOs, the first of whom was Vincent Learson.

One time I spoke with him on the telephone, and he gave me this insight on how IBM continued to be a highly successful company. I have seen [the above] quote attributed to numerous people, but to my mind, it came first from Vincent Learson, and it was included in a book he wrote about IBM.

His insight is important and may account for one of the reasons I am always happy.

I know people who second-guess themselves immediately after making a decision. They drive to an event and on the way complain about having chosen to attend it, or they choose a restaurant and complain that they should have gone to a different restaurant, and so on.

Once you make a decision, live with it and make it right. If the decision turns out to be bad, make another decision, but don't look back, only forward. It is a waste of time and energy to complain — either act or acquiesce.’