Three Keys to Making Tough Decisions
Leadership is fun – right up until you have to make those first tough decisions. Everyone goes through this transition from eager new leader ready to change the world, to the realization that the decisions involved in leading are a lot harder than they look from the outside.
The first tough decisions may involve choosing between two people to promote, firing a tenured employee, or shutting down a project that is no longer profitable. Every leader faces these moments. The question is, what kind of leader will we be when those tough decisions rest on our shoulders. A Leader of Character or something else?
Three Keys to Tough Decisions
Decisions – Decisions – Decisions. They are required of leaders. Some leaders have no problem making decisions. While other leaders waffle or put off making decisions. No matter the leader, and no matter the situation, most tough decisions have three things in common*:
- The Leader Must Face Reality
- Someone is Not Going to Like the Decision
- The Leader Could Encounter Personal Loss
If we allow ourselves and others to rationalize and make excuses, an already hard decision becomes complicated as well. A leader must understand the truth about leading through tough decisions.
*adapted from Stand Your Ground by Evan Offstein
The Leader Must Face Reality
We may wish things were different. We may remember the way things used to be. We may even rationalize away making a decision at all, in hopes things will change on their own. But, a leader can not operate on wishful thinking nor live in the past. A leader must live in the here and now.
- What are my trusted advisors telling me?
- What does the data tell me?
- What does my experience tell me?
- What is the best/worst thing that can happen if I make this decision now?
- What is the best/worst thing that can happen if I do not make this decision now?
Reality is right in front of us. A Leader of Character should not ignore reality. They must make a decision based on the reality they face and lead with Courage.
Andersons’ 12 word (or less) Definition of Courage
Acting despite perceived or actual risk.
Someone Is Not Going to Like the Decision
Just accept this fact. None of a leader’s decisions will make everyone happy. Someone, somewhere will always have a problem with our decisions. A leader who tries to lead through concensus is probably not getting much accomplished.
As leaders, we have to be strong enough to make decisions even if they are unpopular decisions. After we have listened to advice and gathered the available information, a decision must be made.
That is why leaders must exercise the habit of Courage. It takes Courage to stand up and make a decision even though someone might not like that decision.
The Leader Could Encounter Personal Loss
Sometimes the tough decisions are tough because there are personal consequences. But a Leader of Character knows that our own personal comfort should not be involved in the decision making process. If it is the right thing to do, then we should do it – even at personal cost.
Andersons’ 12 words (or less) Definition of Integrity
Doing what is good, right and proper, even at personal cost.
The personal cost could be to our time. We could lose friends. We could lose money. We could lose popularity. But in the end, the Leader of Character still makes the tough decision because it is the right thing to do.
The Bottom Line:
We all have tough decisions in our lives. The outcomes of those decisions are often unclear and create uncertainty in ourselves and in the people we lead. But, we must face them and be the ones who exercise the Courage to decide.
Not deciding is rarely a good option. Most leaders who choose to not decide are just putting the decision off to another day or another leader. Meanwhile, the circumstances get worse and the consequences grow.
Recognize:
- The Leader Must Face Reality
- Someone is Not Going to Like the Decision
- The Leader Could Encounter Personal Loss
When a leader starts here and then moves forward, they are exercising the Courage and the Integrity we should all display to become the Leaders of Character others want to follow.
Question:
What decisions are the hardest for you to make – based on these three keys?
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