6 to Success - March 2024

It’s March — Was February everything you wanted it to be? What would you like to change by April?

Welcome! In case you haven’t read 6toSuccess before, here’s what to expect. Every month, I post six abbreviated leadership insights or tips. I’ll also answer your questions in a column and share some of my publications and media appearances. I invite you to read 6 to Success and share your thoughts or questions.

ONE

(Tip) There Will Always be Tough Decisions — Here’s How to Make Them

In this month’s newsletter, we’re going to break down a few key tips about navigating the toughest decisions that leaders make.

Whether you’re facing ethical dilemmas or strategic uncertainties, leaders are usually tasked with making the final decision. In those moments, we only have our experience, frameworks, and principles to fall back on.

Here are the ones that I think are key.?

TWO

(Tip) A Diversity of Opinions Brings More (Not Less) Clarity

While one’s knee-jerk reaction to “get more opinions” might be, “Won’t that just flood an already complex issue with more complexity?”

Trust me. It won’t.

Surround yourself with a diverse group of people and begin brainstorming. Consider different points of view. Listen to insights from those with different life experiences. Uncover the blind spots in your thinking and challenge your assumptions and those of everyone else in the room.

Put another way, a diversity of input expands your understanding and perspective when the time comes to make a decision.?

THREE

(Tip) Be Strategic Rather than Impulsive

The best business leaders have intuition informed by years of experience guided by the frameworks and principles that guide their actions.

Impulsivity is different - it isn’t critical, strategic, or informed.

Impulsive decision-making might be more about “getting it over with” and moving on to the next thing as a way to avoid or reduce the stress of the decision.

Strategic decision-making requires effort and commitment. It is an exercise in angles - i.e., how will a decision affect all aspects of the business?

With practice, our intuition can become stronger.

FOUR

(Tip) Don’t Pretend You’re Certain — Be Honest

As a leader, it’s easy to feel like you have to be unerring and confident. But that’s not always possible. From time to time, confusion and uncertainty may cloud your decision-making.

Rather than feigning certainty, be open with your team.

Poll the room. Have conversations about it. Tough decisions can be a team effort.

For example, consider the impact a conversation can have: Instead of declaring that no one is getting a bonus, encourage honest conversations about troubled finances that put bonuses in jeopardy.

FIVE

(Tip) Put Ethics in the Foreground — Not Background

Sometimes a decision becomes difficult when there are personal repercussions.

Imagine you have an employee who has been showing up late, turning in poor work, and being cold or cynical with their team. Their behavior may be a result of burnout at work. In a case like this, how many “warnings” do they get before corrective action is needed? What is your responsibility as a leader?

A leader’s responsibility includes fostering a positive and productive workplace culture. However, if despite your efforts, the employee fails to meet expectations and their behavior continues to negatively impact the team, having them exit the company may become a necessary step to protect the overall work environment.

Ensure that the decision is communicated with empathy, highlighting the specific reasons for the exit and expressing a genuine hope for the individual's future success.

SIX

(Tip) Embrace Failure — Don’t Fear it

Recognize that certain decisions defy a clear classification as right or wrong. Invariably, there exists a downside, and occasionally, your choice may lead to the worst-case scenario. It's a part of life.

When faced with such situations, resist the urge to escape failure or attribute it to external factors or the actions of others.

Instead, wholeheartedly embrace failure and learn valuable lessons from it. These experiences, when embraced, become pivotal in shaping your ability to make tough decisions.