One of the simplest and most powerful questions a leader or anyone can ask is,
“What information do I need now, and how do I get it?”
Three areas of caution for information seekers are:
1. Garbage In/Garbage Out
A decision that has been made, or a problem solved, based on inaccurate (garbage in) information may be worthless (garbage out). Know the validity and credibility of your information source. The bottom line: A decision is only as good as the information used to make it.
2. Goldilocks & The Three Bears
Having too much information can lengthen the decision making or problem solving process, and the information can become irrelevant or redundant in the process. Not having enough information can invalidate the results. Know when enough is enough and when more is needed.
3. Advice and Information
Advice is a subjective form of information. You can find every point of view represented somewhere, no matter how contrary or controversial. Be able to distinguish between credible advice that is backed up responsibly and offered by possibly a number of other people, as opposed to one random piece of advice.
