I sat on two juries (felony cases) during three weeks of jury duty. I saw nearly thirty witnesses and heard four different attorneys argue their cases. In between attorneys and witnesses there was plenty of time to think over what I had seen and heard. After I reviewed the evidence, testimonies, and arguments and then deliberated with my fellow jury members I reflected on my knowledge of business communications and found a direct parallel.

Here are 12 Things About Business I Learned While On Jury Duty:

1. Don't believe everything you see.

2. Don't believe everything you hear.

3. You don't always have the facts you need, but you need to make a decision based on what evidence you have on hand.

4. There are more than two sides to each story.

5. Unanimous decisions are made up of compromises and hard won small victories.

6. Expressions can both reveal as well as mask the truth.

7. At the heart of each side is communications.

8. Choices never come easy.

9. The right questions don't always get asked.

10. Doubt always remains.

11. Sometimes you have to settle for what you hope is right.

12. Satisfaction comes from a verdict or choice you believe is right and then having your judgment confirmed as valid and correct.

Don Doman

Don Doman is a published author (How to Produce a First-Class Video for Your Business: Work with the Pros or Do It Yourself, Market Research Made Easy, and Out of Work? Get Into Business: a Guide for the Middle-Aged Entrepreneur. He has also been a corporate producer for over two decades.

Don and his wife Peg are local food and theatre critics in the Pacific Northwest, where they write about their adventures.