Leadership is anything but easy. Leaders deal with people issues, short deadlines, and changes to the business environment. There will always be difficult decisions, but the great leaders don’t shy away them. Leaders embrace them so we can make the organization better.
They can include a promotion choice between two well-qualified team members, a reprimand for someone popular who made a mistake, a new strategy for the company, or the horrible need to layoff part of the company, plus many more. With tough decisions, you may have a divided team on what the outcome should be. Don’t worry about popular opinion when you are focused in doing what’s right for the organization.
How to Effectively Establish Priorities for Yourself and Your Team
Tough decisions are part of being in charge. Firing a team member is probably one of the toughest decisions you may face. Layoffs when the business conditions have changed is another. Expanding or reducing product lines and services are other tough choices. All these situations affect people and that makes them difficult.
I have faced many tough decisions in my Army career. I had responsibility over people’s lives, over maintaining discipline, promotions, how to properly recognize merit, and many more. I sought counsel with my subordinate leaders, considered my long-term vision, and made the best decision possible for the overall health of my unit.
Great Leaders Accept Responsibility for Making Decisions
Leaders take ownership
- Great leaders are aware that decision making is part of the responsibility of leading a team.
- When necessary decisions linger without any action, it affects everyone on the team. Your team may be looking to you to get it done, while losing respect for you by the minute when you don’t.
We set the standards, vision and values for the organization
- With every decision, comes the responsibility for supporting and upholding what is important to the organization.
- Some decisions can have lasting effects, especially if it’s an unpopular decision.
We do what we believe is right
- We serve the best interests of others and the organization as a whole ensuring the proper long-term health and execution of the vision.
- We must consider the ethical and legal components of every decision.
Leaders take the necessary time and effort for decision-making
- Communicate to your team that you are in the decision-making process so to be transparent.
- Make hasty decisions when you must especially in the case of health and safety.
- Difficult decisions may require additional time to investigate alternatives, the facts and assumptions and to evaluate the options available.
- Leaders also seek wise counsel and input from others when dealing with more complex decisions. You may need to involve the entire team to do analysis and to ensure you have addressed all facts, assumptions, and possible courses of action.
“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” ― Peter F. Drucker, author on management and organizational leadership
A poor leader avoids decision making thus making the organization less stable. Critical decisions that are not made in a timely manner can lead to weak morale and less respect for the leader. Embrace the process to make the team and organization better in the long run.
How do you approach a difficult decision?
Please comment or email me at comment@stephenmclain.com.
Copyright 2019 – Stephen McLain
