Jury Duty

From time to time, we all get the notice that we’re to appear for jury duty.  Like many of you, I would postpone that appearance and then pray that when I was supposed to go, court would be canceled or my chair would be filled by other citizens with more time on their hands.  However, I got called in last week and actually ended up on a trial.  Obviously I can’t tell you anything about it. However, I do have a couple of observations that my civic duty has brought forward.
At the general jury screening, we’re told that our role is that of fact finders. I think that should be the mindset any of us have as managers in business. Unfortunately, other things – office politics, personal relationships, etc. – often get in the way, obscuring the real issues and clouding our judgment. As my lawyer friends like to say,

When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the facts are against you, argue the law.  When both are against you, attack the plaintiff.

We are told to keep an open mind and we get to hear some compelling arguments on both sides of an issue. When the two sides don’t agree even on a basic fact, we have to decide who is closer to the truth. Ever have that experience with your subordinates? I’m sure you did if you have kids!

I’m hoping that sitting quietly and doing nothing but listening for facts in the jury box will enhance my ability to do so in meetings.  While we don’t get to ask questions, I find that I’m thinking about what I want answered as I’m listening.   What I also find interesting is that we can’t discuss the case even with our fellow jurors until we begin deliberations.  I gather the idea is to allow us to gather facts and weigh the issues without filters.  Here’s an interesting idea to start off a follow-up meeting – tell everyone to come prepared with a written opinion which they read aloud.  No benefit of reading the room, just your own hard analysis of the facts.  Wouldn’t THAT be different!

Ever served on a jury?  Learn any business lessons from it?