Most often we avoid decision-making because we fear error, regret, embarrassment, judgment or loss. We falter because we know that the smartest, best, most correct decisions sometimes involve causing pain – e.g. firing someone that we really like because they are truly unsuitable for their job or our organization.
In such cases, the biggest mistake is letting time or outside circumstances decide for us. Such avoidance produces a mediocre result, at best, and often leaves us with the knowledge that we could have made a smarter choice. That, instead, we let time or ‘fate’ make it for us.
On the other hand, even the smartest and best people make bad decisions. All the time. They simply have learned to identify and change the outcome of a bad decision quickly and effectively. Leaders can not afford to do otherwise. Decisions – right or wrong – must be made or they are not leading. And they cannot create sustainable value on either a professional or a personal level unless they do so.
If we are pledged to taking the time required and putting in the thoughtful effort towards making our best decisions – even if they turn out to be ‘mistakes’ – we can be feel good about our process. And, fix any errors promptly.
Entries (RSS)