We’ve all heard the phrase “hindsight is 20/20” and it certainly rings true when it comes to providing advice. It’s easy to watch a game on TV and shout at the screen, “You should have done this!” but it’s an entirely different story when you’re the one on the field trying to execute split-second decisions.
What do we mean by Monday morning quarterback? This term originated in American football and refers to someone who criticizes or gives advice about a game after it has been played. In the business world, a Monday morning quarterback could be someone who provides commentary on a decision made by a company after the fact. This could be anything from a product launch to a management decision.
So, why is it so easy to be a Monday morning quarterback? For one, hindsight gives us the luxury of knowing how things turned out. We can see the outcome of a decision and judge it based on that. Additionally, as outsiders looking in, we don’t have the emotional attachment to the decision that the people making it do. It’s easy for us to say what we would have done because we aren’t the ones faced with executing, nor do we have to deal with the consequences.
Another reason being a Monday morning quarterback is easy is that we often have incomplete information. When we’re not the ones making the decision, we don’t have access to all the data and nuances that went into making it. We may see the decision as being cut and dry, but in reality, there were many factors at play that we may be unaware of.
It’s worth noting that providing advice as a Monday morning quarterback can be helpful. Sometimes we can see things that those in the thick of it can’t. However, it’s important to approach this role with humility and an understanding that we don’t have all the answers. Regardless of the critiques or advice we offer, we are all playing for the same team, aiming for the collective success and growth of the organization.