Issue 35: Mastering Consistent Decision-Making
"Success is not about making the right decision. It's about making the decision right."
— A.G. Lafley, former CEO of Procter & Gamble
Welcome to our 35th issue! This week, we're diving into a pretty common issue: leaders who can't seem to make up their minds. It's a problem that causes a lot of headaches for teams, and you've probably experienced it firsthand.
Here’s What It Looks Like:
Changing Your Mind All The Time: This is the boss who changes direction depending on the time of day. One day it's "full steam ahead" on a project, the next day it's "actually, let's scrap that entirely." It's exhausting and makes it nearly impossible to make any real progress. This is one I know well!
Lack of Clarity: Then there's the leader who makes decisions but never really explains the "why" behind them. It leaves everyone feeling a little lost and unsure of the bigger picture. It's hard to get behind a vision you can't see!
Reacting to Pressure: This is the boss who bends to whoever makes the most noise and yells the loudest, instead of sticking to a clear strategy. It makes others feel like decisions are made on a whim rather than from careful consideration.
What You Should Be Doing Instead:
Take a step back and consider the full context before making a decision. What's the long-term goal here? Who's going to be impacted? How does this fit into our overall strategy?
Once a decision is made, commit to it and communicate clearly. Explain the reasoning, what you expect to happen, and what the next steps are. This transparency goes a long way in building trust.
Use a structured approach to decision-making. Whether it's my decision-driver framework, the six-thinking hats, or as simple as the pros and cons. A structured approach will help you make more consistent and strategic decisions that align with your big picture goal.
Why this matters:
This matters because when a leader is all over the place with their decisions, it creates a ripple effect of confusion and frustration. It's hard for teams to execute effectively when the goalposts keep moving, and over time, it can really erode trust in your leadership.
If you're reading this and thinking, "Oh no, this sounds like me," don't panic. I write about these leadership faux-pas because so many of us make them! Many leaders struggle with this at some point, and there are ways to improve.
Next week's preview:
Next week, we'll be talking about emotional intelligence and why it's crucial for effective leadership. It might sound touchy-feely or like an optional skill, but trust me, it makes a big difference in how you connect with, lead, and motivate your team (not to mention your career!)
I help leaders get comfortable with the uncertainty of leadership so they can be clear, consistent, and aligned with what actually matters most both to their career and to their organization. Want to talk through your specific situation? Schedule a consultation and let's get into it.
Go out there and lead,
Asia
