Effective decision-making is vital for leaders, but it often creates frustration and uncertainty. Are you facing similar challenges in your organization?
I was talking to a client in Asia about improving his decision-making skills to advance within his company. His main struggle; Taking too long to make crucial choices. Sound familiar?
Fortunately, I assured him that he was already a skilled decision-maker. He carefully evaluates options, weighs pros and cons, and prioritizes the best interests of his business and team. Most of his decisions, it turns out, are successful.
So, where can he improve? It’s not the quality of his decisions but rather the speed at which he makes them. Many leaders fall into the trap of overthinking, causing delays and missed opportunities. The good news is that most decisions can be rectified or improved quickly, so moving when you have 80% of the information is usually sufficient.
Now, you may be wondering how you can enhance your decision-making process. Here are a few practical tips that I shared with my client:
- Tap into your intuition: Decision-making is not just about analyzing data; it also involves trusting your gut instincts. This was a challenge for this fellow as his financial background usually left him looking at only binary choices. I suggested he take 15 minutes to reflect or take a short walk in a garden to consider the options. Surprisingly, some of the best decisions come to us during unexpected moments, like the daily shower.
- Focus on what truly matters: When making decisions, numerous factors make it easy to get overwhelmed. Simplify the process by identifying the two most critical aspects impacting the company. It becomes easier to make the final call without unnecessary complexity by narrowing down the choices.
- Practice makes perfect: To help him speed up his decision-making process, I suggested he draft an email to the people involved in the decision. One email one day with one option decided and the next day with the other option decided. Review each email after 24 hours and see which decision resonates best. This “practice session,” allowed him to preview his choice before alerting the staff of the call her made on this issue. He loved that idea
Embracing these strategies will improve decision-making speed, reduce stress, and free up more time to focus on other essential tasks, a key aspect of strengthening resilience.
Remember, the power to make confident decisions lies within you. I’m here to support and guide you along the way. Reach out to me today and let’s embark on this transformative journey together.
© Richard Citrin 2023
