Making Sure the Right Decisions Are Taken: A Practical Guide

Decision-making sits at the core of leadership and business success. The decisions we make shape our futures, define our professional paths, and impact the lives of those we lead. The importance of making the right decisions cannot be overstated. Whether you are leading a company, managing a team, or steering your own personal development, informed and thoughtful decision-making is key to long-term success.

Many leadership figures have emphasized the profound effect decisions have on our lives.

“The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your decisions.” Ray Dalio, Investor & Author

“The decisions you make today will determine the stories you tell tomorrow.” Greg Groeschel, Pastor & Author

With such stakes, how can we ensure that our decisions are the right ones? This article outlines some key principles that will help improve decision-making processes, whether you’re working independently or leading a team.

Embrace inclusion to beat decision fatigue!

One of the most significant factors in successful decision-making is delegation. Including the right people at the right level is crucial to avoiding decision fatigue. Decision fatigue occurs when one person is responsible for making too many decisions, leading to mental strain and impaired judgment. By spreading decision-making responsibilities across a team, you lighten the load on any single individual, allowing for a more balanced and inclusive approach.

Andy Stanley, a leadership expert, sums it up perfectly:

“Leadership isn’t about making all the decisions. It’s about making sure the right decisions are made.” Andy Stanley, Pastor & Author

This highlights the importance of delegation. When decisions are shared, they become a collective responsibility, improving the chances of success and reducing the risk of burnout.

Get ready to dive into the six decision making principles!

Once the right level of delegation is in place, there are six guiding principles that can structure and elevate decision-making at every level.

Jewido leadership coaching principles for the decision making

1. Avoid "Either/Or" situations

In decision-making, it’s easy to fall into the trap of binary thinking, where only two choices are considered. This kind of thinking can limit your options and stifle creativity. Instead of narrowing your choices to "either/or," explore multiple alternatives. A more nuanced approach can lead to innovative solutions and better results.

For example, when faced with a complex business decision, don’t simply choose between moving forward or stopping a project. Consider a range of possibilities such as revising the project, scaling it differently, or even merging it with other initiatives. Broader thinking helps you avoid making impulsive or short-sighted choices.

2. Consider the "Why" behind each alternative

Understanding the deeper motivations behind each option is essential. Every decision you make should align with your broader goals and long-term objectives. Take the time to reflect on the "why" of each alternative. Why does this option exist? Why are you drawn to it? Exploring these questions ensures that the decision is made with clarity and purpose. Rather than focusing solely on the outcomes of each decision, focus on its motivations.

For instance, when choosing a business strategy, consider the reasons behind each option. Does it align with your company’s vision? Is it a reaction to short-term pressures, or does it contribute to long-term growth? By grounding your decisions in purpose, you’ll be more confident in their execution.

3. Check alignment with core values

Core values act as the compass that guides decisions. Before making a choice, assess whether it aligns with your personal or organizational values. Decisions that reflect these values will naturally lead to more fulfilling outcomes and sustainable success.

Let’s say in a situation where transparency is a core value of your organization, ensure that every decision reflects this commitment. If a proposed business deal requires compromising on openness with stakeholders, it might be worth reconsidering. When decisions are aligned with values, they feel authentic and more likely to succeed.

4. Listen to your feelings and inner voice

While logic is vital in decision-making, emotional intelligence also plays a crucial role. Sometimes, despite all the data and rational analysis, your gut feeling, or intuition provides valuable insight. Your inner voice is shaped by your experience and subconscious understanding, so it’s important to listen to it, especially when the facts alone don’t offer a clear direction.

This can be seen when hiring a candidate for an important position. You might find two individuals with similar qualifications, and one simply “feels” like a better fit. Trusting your instincts can sometimes lead to the best outcome, even if the reasons aren't immediately clear.

5. Involve your subconscious mind

Many great ideas emerge when you step away from active problem-solving. Allow your subconscious mind to process the information you've gathered. Take a break, sleep on a decision, or shift your focus for a while. This mental downtime can offer clarity that you wouldn’t achieve through continuous, conscious effort.

Think of how many breakthrough ideas come during a walk, a shower, or just before sleep. Allowing your subconscious to work on a problem increases the likelihood of uncovering creative solutions you may not have initially considered.

6. Set a deadline and Go for a trial

Indecision can lead to paralysis, where no choice is made due to over-analysis. To counter this, set a firm deadline for deciding. Additionally, consider a trial period if there is uncertainty about the long-term effects of the decision. By testing your decision in a real-world scenario, you allow for flexibility, adjustments, and course corrections as needed.

To give you an idea, rather than committing to a large-scale operational change, try implementing it on a smaller scale for a set period. Gather feedback, assess the impact, and then decide whether to scale up or pivot. This approach reduces risk and enables learning from actual outcomes.

Let's Conclude

Effective decision-making is not a straightforward process; it requires thoughtful delegation, reflection on motivations, alignment with values, and a balance of logic and intuition. By following these guiding principles, you can create a decision-making framework that fosters clarity, confidence, and long-term success.

Remember, leadership is not about making every decision yourself. It’s about ensuring that the right decisions are made by the right people, at the right time.