Mindset: Rubber Band Model

The Rubber Band Model is a mindset to consider in decision making processes. It was designed by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler, and features in their book, The Decision Book: Fifty Models for Strategic Thinking.

The Rubber Band Model is an alternative to the question, “What are the pros and cons?” – this puts a negative spin on the decision making process. This model instead looks at both sides and ensures there is a good analysis of the risks involved:

• “What is holding me?” – this could be considering some of the risks with making the change, perhaps you’re not quite ready, perhaps you are happy with how things are right now. What are the positives that ‘holding back’ will provide?

• “What is pulling me?” – what will this decision enable me to do? What positive changes will I see if I move forward with this decision.

The idea is to see both options as a positive outcome – don’t see holding back as a negative, or, on the flip side, the positive outcome is not always the one that involves forging ahead with something.

This post is part of our mindset series. Take a look at our other posts here.