“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” Poet, Edwin Markham
4 advantages of being decisive:
#1. Speed.
Decisive leaders choose and move. They waste less time exploring options.
#2. Clarity.
Clarity produces confidence. People like to know where they’re going.
#3. Learning.
#4. Momentum.
It’s easier to roll the ball once it’s moving.
5 dangers of being too decisive:
#1. Limited participation.
People won’t tell you what they think if you’ve already made up your mind. Disengagement and lack of goal ownership result in disappointing performance.
#2. Devalued and disrespected people.
Respectful treatment of all employees at all levels was rated as the top contributor to overall employee satisfaction. (SHRM)
#3. Confirmation bias.
Confirmation bias down-plays new information.
Decisive leaders find reasons to justify decisions and minimize disconfirming information.
You tend to underestimate the time and difficult of climbing hills that others climb, but you don’t. You also tend to over-estimate the abilities of others.
#5. Illusion of control.
Talking makes achievement seem easy, but action bursts the illusion of control.
Sitting around a table making decisions gives the impression of power. But it’s false. The people doing the work understand what it takes to achieve goals.
4 decision-making tips:
- Force yourself to explore options when setting goals. Good decisions begin with multiple options.
- Eliminate options when implementing goals. You can’t do everything at once.
- Ask, “What might go wrong,” if you tend to make quick decisions.
- Plan goal-implementation WITH the people who do the work.
What’s dangerous about decisiveness?
What’s essential for good decision-making?
Bonus material:
Mindset Theory of Action Phases (Gollwitzer)
Four Ways to be Better at Making Snap Decisions Without Feeling Guilty (theMuse)
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This post was previously published on Leadership Freak with a Creative Commons License.
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Photo credit: iStock