Photo by
Ramy Wafaa
According to a 2017 Forbes study, among the top 500 world leaders interviewed, 98% of them failed to apply best practices when making decisions. Decision-making isn’t easy, but it’s the cornerstone of leadership. It’s the smart choices we make that drive true change throughout an organization.
Reflect on how to make a decision
Learning how to make a decision is fundamental in developing and honing your leadership skills. Start by simply taking a moment to reflect.
Can you recall a time where you struggled making a decision?
Exercises to help you make a decision
Now, it's time to put your reflection into action. Finding opportunities to implement your leadership skills can allow you to make a decision.
- Identify the factors in your decision. Ask yourself: “What do I know? What information do I have at hand? What information is missing? Who will this decision impact?”
- Speak to other team members about your options. Set up a meeting to get feedback, brainstorm possible alternatives, and discuss tradeoffs.
- Document what was decided, those involved, and why they supported the decision once you’ve come to a conclusion. This will increase commitment and establish a basis to measure the results.
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