There are a lot of cases where balanced and middle
view is better, but adopting middle path on everything might lead to average or
mediocre outcomes. One such problem is whether to be methodical, process
oriented and cautious OR attitude of “get it done”, use whichever way suits the
best for achieving the goal and taking risks. I think it is eventually basic
nature of people.
I also think either approach works differently for
different kind of problems. Doing something new, discovering a solution where
none exists, pursuits that calls more creativity – those may call for second
approach. Changing a complex system, coordinating efforts of a large group of
people to achieve a single goal, size of the problem being big – these may need
the process oriented / methodical mindset.
Knowing what kind of person I am on this spectrum
of rigidly methodical to flying by the seat of the pants would be a good start.
Assessing what kind of mindset is needed to solve the problem in front of us
would be second. If we are able to change ourselves to suit the method needed
to solve the problem/project, that might be perfect.
Even if we start with System 2 for some projects
(greenfield projects), it may need to switch to System 1 once it scales and
complexity increases. Similarly even if we start with System 1 for complex
mammoth projects, micro problems within that might need inventiveness and
System 1 approaches. So shifting between both (not mixing both for problem
statement, but changing approach from problem to problem) might be needed.
Questions to ponder upon: Is it possible to change
like this from project to project? Is it just better to have different kind of
people handle different kind of projects – whichever is best suited for them?