The Seven Decisions of Decisive Leaders
Decisiveness is a strength and weakness. I often hear complaints about bosses who can’t make decisions. Then there’s the leader who makes all the decisions. In both cases the results are the same.
Decisions made in isolation make others feel they don’t matter. They complain, “What’s the use?” Surprisingly, leaders who can’t make decisions produce the same “what’s the use” response.
Decision-making gone bad devalues and disengages.
Successful leaders are decisive. The issues are:
- Method. How to decide?
- Timing. When to decide?
- Frequency. How often to decide?
Decisiveness falls flat when leaders make up their minds before discussion or feedback. Conversations with predetermined outcomes aren’t discussions. At best they’re information. At worst they’re coercion or manipulation.
Decisive leaders know too soon.
#1. Decide slow comes before fast.
#2. Decide input is essential.
Decisive leaders tend to quickly judge suggestions and rule out options. Elevate curiosity at the beginning. Pursue decisions at the end.
#3. Decide to withhold judgment.
Decisive leaders tend to think about solutions in private and then inform in public. Before seeking solutions ask:
- Is this someone else’s decision?
- Who needs to know?
- Who needs to be involved? Those most impacted should be most involved.
- What’s the timeline?
#4. Decide, “How should we decide.”
Decisive leaders create teams who wait for decisions. Everyone sits around waiting for the chief to nod so they can agree.
#5. Decide to make fewer decisions.
#6. Decide to equip others to make decisions.
Focus more on pointing the way than making decisions. Explain what’s important now.
#7. Decide your job is defining “what.” Their job is finding “how.”
Bonus: If the decision is yours alone, invite others to challenge it.
Leaders who persistently make decisions in isolation end up stressed out and alone.
How or when does decisiveness go wrong?
How are good decisions made?
Dear Dan,
When decision is based on hidden intention, then decisiveness goes wrong. There may be two reasons why leaders make decision in isolation- they are afraid for engaging into hard discussion or they have hidden agenda. There are group of people surrounding leaders in making decision, Such group of people know the intention of leaders and hence try to take advantage out of that.
Good decisions are made by participation, discussion and challenging stereotypes. It is important to evaluate decision on current parameter rather than past achievement. Decision should be evaluated against possible consequences on society and enterprises both. Decision only based on enterprises benefit may not be enough.
Today, organizational culture play major role in influencing leader in decision making process. They are expected to achieve tangible component quickly. And hence, leaders may feel that by inviting people opinion may not serve the purpose. And that is why they tend to make decision based on their intuition and belief.
Thanks Ajay,
Your insights about hidden agendas are one main reason we are so distrustful of those in authority. The lack of transparency, candor, and participation makes everyone assume the worst and put up walls of protections.
Perhaps one day, it will dawn on everyone that organizations that aren’t transparent move slowly and under-utilize their talent. Too much time and energy is spent in posturing activities.
I agree that isolation is bad.
Through most of my career I have seen decisions questioned no matter who makes them! My personal view comes from NASA who calculates and simulates every moment of a flight, including “scheduled correction” – in other words whatever course we set don’t resist a correction, incorporate into the process.
“Bad decision” goes to an ego issue.. “positive results” is my real job.
Thanks Ken,
I’m delighted you shared your experience of simulation, test, and evaluation. This is especially relevant when life is literally on the line for manned projects and when huge amounts of resources go into one project.
I recall a conversation with a VP at Chic fil A who said we are getting better at using pilot projects as a way of testing ideas and making final decisions.
Good decisions invite and withstand scrutiny.
Including others into the decision can be a key to motivation your subordinates. It empowers them because it was partily their idea so they invested in making sure it works. It is also the first step to delegation which can lead to shifting that responsibility off your plate permanently. Sometime giving responsibility can be better for moral than giving a raise..
Thanks Michael,
Here’s what you taught me, a good decision-making process shows respect to others by including them. Those who are included are more likely to own. Those who are engaged in the process are more likely to engage in producing results.
Well when the train barreling down the tracks….jump to the right…..jump to the left….stay where you are and get turned into train run over hamburger.
All choices…..pick one!!!!!
All three will whawhawhat???? Have a result. Duh!!!
Go ahead have analysis paralysis!!!! That is a decision TOO!!!!!!
Thing is Rule 62 in AA is not to take yourself so darn seriously!!!
What what u decide is gonna end world hunger? You will decide and there will be nothing but peace on earth and all Gods kids will get along???
Goodness get over yourself!
Release the horrific pressure you been putting on yourself and just do something. After you take action on that decision and you like the results, keep doing it. After taking action on your decision and you don’t like the results, make another decision to do something else!!!!
You could do what I do!!!! If I am really stressing myself out with the story I am telling myself, the video in my head just keeps playing over and over, I got to break that thought pattern!!!
I de-robe and stare into a full length mirror. Bout 10 minutes of that presto Chang-o perspective change!!!! When I am really stubborn I turn sideways!!!! That always breaks my thought repeating pattern!!!! Lol
Just ease up Grasshoppaaaa!!!!!!
Do something see how it works!!!
Learn to laugh at yourself cause whether u know it or not everyone else is!!!
I Concur!!!!
Shifterp back to now in left field!!
Thanks Scott,
Thanks for pointing out the decision-making process that time pressure produces. Whether it’s a crisis or a deadline is upon us, someone has to make quick decision in those situations.
Decision making in collaborative environments when their isn’t a train barreling down the tracks require different skills than when it is.
I would say that if you are having more than one “crisis” per week/month (depend on the position) then you need to review the systems you have in place to handle the environment, If you are having “crises” multiple times a day is a sign that your subordinates do not feel comfortable/empowered to make a decision without you. Basically it is a sign of poor management not a high pressure environment.
For example: the military is the most high pressure environment imaginable with literal life and death decision being made in real time. For this reason, they rely on delegated responsibility through a clear defined chain of command. Mistakes of group think are reduced by clearly defining the appropriately individual(s) with decision making authority.
We need to step away from our ego not just it is psychologically heather but for the good of our businesses.
Reblogged this on Preston Byrd and commented:
[[ Share worthy ]] :: thanks for your amazing articles and information. I’m certain a lot of leaders, entrepreneurs, business people can relate to this article. On a personal level, it is about striking a healthy balance. ~ Preston Byrd
I recall many years ago sitting through a week long event to discuss how we were going to improve the overall product life cycle beginning with the initial “Request For Quote”.
During our conference it became very clear early on that the “management” had already determined how the process would be executed. Our “input” was actually their opportunity to identify any potential objections ahead of rolling out their solution.
The bottom line! Everyone saw through their strategy and it failed miserably.
Thanks Redge,
Your experience emphasizes the point that sooner or later hypocrisy, coercion, and manipulation are exposed. In the end, the only one fooled by this charade are the ones perpetrating it.
Thanks again for sharing your experience.
I’ve decided this was outstanding advice.
Thanks Dan,
I often say, in French “Choisir c’est mourir un peu” “To chose is like a little death” I don’t know if it means something in English, but I think a decision is always a choice and you have to live with your choice for a while at least.
And a decision could be hard to take ……and to “keep”