The Art of Decision-Making: Leading Your Team Confidently in the Green Zone

Overview: Decision-making is an important management skill that can help leaders manage the overwhelming number of ideas and solutions their team offers.

When you think of essential management skills that good leaders possess, a few will quickly come to mind. Strategic thinking, communication skills, time management, motivation, and inspiration are all on the list. However, the one skill that touches on all of these is decision-making.

As my mentor, former Yum! CEO Greg Creed likes to say, "You won't always be right, but you always have to be clear."

Think about it: a strong decision-maker sets the tone for the team. No one wants to be led by someone wishy-washy about what to do next. We expect our leaders to be confident, integrate team ideas, and have a clear path forward that boosts morale.

So, how do you do that when you’re put on the spot, need a quick turnaround, or don’t have the complete picture? With so many diverse opinions and conflicting solutions, it can be hard to manage the pressure of making the "right” decision. Here are five tips to help you decide and lead with confidence.

5 Steps for Effective Decision-Making.

1. Press Pause. No matter how urgent the issue is, no one can make a good decision if they are in the Red Zone. Give yourself a moment to check in and collect your thoughts before you dive in.
2. Gather Data. The best decision is an educated decision. Look at past decisions and outcomes and learn from them. Stay informed on relevant issues, ensuring that all voices are heard. Use your team to get their input, analyze relevant information, and brainstorm solutions-based ideas.
3. Weigh Your Options. From SWOT analysis to decision matrices to my PCPC: Pros and Cons of Present vs. Change (stay tuned for more details on this technique in the future!), there are many strategies that you can implement to help make sense of the issue at hand and prioritize decisions based on impact and feasibility. Whatever method you choose, having everything laid out in a clear, concise manner will help you better understand the ramifications of your decision.
4. Define Your Process. Communicate what went into your decision-making process and why you ultimately decided one way or another. This type of transparency is not meant to raise questions but rather answer them so that everyone involved has a clear understanding and is ready to lend their full support.
5. Trust Your Gut. Your instincts and experiences are what got you here in the first place. Rely on them and trust that they will serve you well.

When you demonstrate your decisiveness and resilience in uncertainty, you can empower your team members to take ownership of their contributions and garner support. When firmly planted in the Green Zone, your executive functioning skills are ready to tackle whatever is thrown your way calmly and constructively. When you communicate decisions clearly and effectively to the team, stand by your choices, and are prepared to adjust if needed, you exemplify the confidence it takes to be a good leader.