A lot of business discussions include the phrase, “all things being equal”.

According to Wikipedia, this phrase comes to us from the Latin C?ter?s paribus which  literally translates as “with other things the same,” or “all other things being equal or held constant.”

When used in business discussions, it’s usually code language that means, “If everything goes our way” or “if nothing unexpected happens”.

And it usually precedes making a decision in favor of mediocrity or compromise. Often both.

Don’t fall for it.

Proceed on the assumption that all things are never equal – because they rarely are.