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0 CttA^U. IN. rt-lfclOUIN to questions â€" even premature and insufficient answers. There is hazard in false or premature answers, and especially in uncritical acceptance of them. I have suggested that there is an inner momentum or destiny which affords us the luxury of deliberate problem solving. Now, consider the merit of the tentative answer, or the hypothesis. Not all processes are automatic or autonomic within our biology or our social systems. Some require action and decision. The executive knows that he or she is not always able to provide accurate and detailed answers to all the questions which can be posed in a working day, nor can all questions be regularly deferred. That person knows that working arrangements have to be devised. Jimmy Hoffa, the former Teamster union leader and an executive of great skill in his own way for a time, remarked that he was never right more than 55 percent of the time but he could usually make the rest 3f his answers work out. His demise suggests that he was off by at least one percent. But, be it the Teamsters or a business or university, unresolved problems that are endlessly stockpiled waiting for :omplete answers can themselves inhibit necessary thought and action. This is the working hypothesis of science and is just as useful for the executive as the scientist. In fact, it is the action which in most :ases permits testing of the hypothesis. Digitalis is useful for heart-Failure, but often it is not clear whether a higher or lower dose should be given. A careful doctor measures all he or she can measure 3ut then is required to act on a hypothesis that the level or dose is low 3r high with the obligation to make repeated subsequent observa-ions and adjustments as appropriate. When a child falls and bumps ts head, should a skull x-ray automatically be taken? For those areoccupied with the hazards of malpractice and insecure with espect to the notion of a tentative hypothesis, the answer is outinely "yes," the x-ray will be taken whatever its cost in dollars and .mall hazard in radiation. But, on the contrary, if the family of the patient is responsible and the doctor thoughtful, more often, descriptions can be made of symptoms to look for and periods of time :o observe so that the patient and the doctor are able to add daily md, if necessary, hourly data to the original estimate of head rauma. With this suspension of an immediate definitive diagnosis md with extended multi-lateral data collection involving patient, amily and doctor, the result is better medical care. In this connection, let me expand on an idea raised by Presidents David Gardner and Jeffrey Holland at a recent public discussion hey had on the role of reason in the context of faith in their |
