How to Be Awesome at Your Job 156: Making Complex Decisions Confidently with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn
May 17, 2017
Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, creator of the AREA Method, is an investigative journalist-turned-decision strategist and Columbia Business School adjunct. She walks through a four-part perspective-taking system for hard choices. The conversation covers how AREA came from reporting, real-world casework (including Nepal), interview techniques, visual mapping, decision journals, and timing tricks to slow down and gain clarity.
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Charity Pivot After Nepal Earthquake
- John Christopher used AREA after Nepal's earthquake and pivoted from opening a second clinic to partnering with government.
- The process raised more funding in weeks than his charity had ever raised before.
Collect Primary Quantitative Evidence
- In the Absolute phase, collect primary, quantitative data about your targets (e.g., population, incidence rates, class sizes).
- Seek evidence rather than guessing to better assess each option's realities.
Use External Sources To Learn Fast
- In the Relative phase, review external sources linked to your targets like industry reports, alumni forums, and competitor outcomes.
- Use others' experiences to spot pitfalls and learn mistakes before you make them.
