Have you ever found yourself in the position to make a decision between two really great things? You can’t have both (although you may want to) and you must choose? A nice new car OR paying down your debts, for example.
Or maybe you’ve had to make a decision that was hard? One that you knew was important, necessary even, but difficult nonetheless?
Maybe you’ve had to make the tough decision to downsize your company and let go of some of your team? Or perhaps you’ve made the difficult choice to turn down a high-valued job offer because, although appealing, it didn’t really align with your values or larger goals?
These kinds of situations often highlight those individuals with true leadership potential. What’s the difference between a true leader and, well, everyone else?
Decisive action.
When faced with hard decisions, many individuals will “freeze” out of fear of making the wrong choice. In other words, they will delay making any choice at all for as long as they possibly can.
Effective leaders do not shy away from making decisions.
Even in the hardest of circumstances when they are faced with choices that aren’t necessarily easy to make, leaders choose and they back their decisions with action. They know firsthand that the hardest step in decision-making is acting on their decisions…and they do it anyway!
Why is this important?
Failure to act on a well-informed decision once made, results in a lack of progress and loss of confidence in the leader’s commitment..
Whether it be in life or in business, you can’t grow, improve, or expand without DOING SOMETHING.
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “If you aren’t growing, you’re dying.” Leaders know that thoughtful decisions supported by action are necessary for growth. They model effective decision-making to their teams and make choices that will benefit the group or organization as a whole.
Now, it’s important to note that good leaders are not impulsive. Action simply for action’s sake isn’t overly helpful. In fact, usually it’s harmful.
Effective leaders will take the time to plan, do any necessary research, and seek wisdom and advice from others. Their decisions come after careful consideration and calculation of risks.
In other words, they do the work needed to make a well-informed decision; they simply do not allow themselves to remain frozen in the research phase.
So…what about you?
Do you find decision-making to be a difficult process? Do you often get “stuck” in research and in making “pro-con” lists?
If you’d like to grow in your own ability to make effective decisions (and other valuable leadership skills) click HERE to join the waitlist for my Intentional Leaders Membership Program.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
