The Two Gear Method: How to Use Your Big & Little Gears of Thinking
In today’s world, we are constantly moving so fast, barely having the time to take a second to think. Our brains have had to adapt to this way of living, forcing us to make decisions very quickly with little time to analyze. Although this can be helpful in some instances, it can often lead to bigger-picture issues.
We frequently make rash decisions on matters that need to be analyzed and thought through more thoroughly, such as decisions that affect others or have a big impact. In the workplace specifically, we see that this quick thinking can lead to unconscious bias because we have to rely on snap judgments and stereotypes to come to a conclusion quickly. On the other hand, some decisions don’t require quick thinking or analyzing.
These two styles of thinking are known as the Two Gear Method. Decisions that require little thought are known as using our little gear, while decisions that need careful analysis are known as using our big gear. It can sometimes be hard to decipher and to know which to use when, so we created a helpful infographic that categorizes when we should use our little gear vs. when we should use our big gear.