10 Things Leaders Misunderstand About Decisions
Agreeable leadership teams miss the advantage of constructive conflict.
Disagreement gives meaning to agreement. If everyone thinks alike, no one is thinking.
“The first rule in decision-making is that one does not make a decision unless there is disagreement.” Peter Drucker
10 Truths Leaders Misunderstand About Decisions
- Dissatisfaction drives decisions. If you aren’t dissatisfied, what are you talking about? Choosing a path is about change. You don’t change something you’re fully satisfied with.
- Real choices require options. The better the options, the more effective the decision.
- Chances are you don’t need more information. Studying the problem is helpful; options are essential.
- End decision-making meetings when they avoid disagreement. They’re a waste of time.
- Commission everyone to come to meetings with an option for consideration.
- Disagree without being disagreeable.
- Invite the entire team to argue for and against each option, regardless of their preferred position.
- Focus on the option, not the person.
- Grab an oar and row, regardless of the final decision. Own it.
- Evaluate decisions frequently. Adapt as you go.
Options, compromise, and values:
Any good option will work. If it won’t work, it’s not an option.
When good options are present, decisions are compromises.
It takes courage to compromise – to give up the good that might be lost when choosing one direction over another.
The true value of values is revealed in compromise.
How might teams develop options?
What rules for disagreement can you suggest?
10 Heart-Based Questions that Produce the Very Best Decisions – Leadership Freak
Learn How to Make Decisions Effectively
Compromises revealing the true value of Values.. That was a powerful statement packed with deep meaning. Thanks Dan
Always a pleasure when you drop in, CV. Cheers
Developing options
–Benchmark–study what other great companies do
–Brainstorm
–Interview customers and employees close to the actions
–Travel internationally and see how the problem was solved in Spain or Germany or China.
Clarify how the decision will be made.
–consensus
–majority rule
–the leader will decide
–a small group of employees will be empowered to make the decision
Thanks for sharing your insights, Paul. My favorite is, “Interview customers and employees close to the action.”
Great tips, as always Dan! I especially like the “Invite the entire team to argue for and against each option, regardless of their preferred position.” What a powerful way to be sure that all avenues are considered, without bias. Brilliant!!!
Thanks, Cheryl. Good seeing you today. I appreciate your encouragement. Cheers
The leadership team can and should have disagreements on viable options. I love how you state that meetings where everyone agrees are a waste of time. I, for one, cannot stand meetings with no purpose. I think you hit the nail on the head with number 9. Even if the leadership discussions lead to a decision that you disagreed with, once the direction has been set, you grab an oar and get on the boat.
It’s interesting that some of my clients have people on the team who drag their feet or sulk when decisions don’t go their way. It’s a self-destructive approach. It feels like blackmail. If you don’t do what I want, I’m going to make you miserable.