How a leader makes tough decisions
Paul Meersman
Igniting Growth and Shaping Change | Fractional CMO | Storyteller | Writer | Analyst | Marketer | AI Engineer | Photographer | Filmmaker
Our choices both reveal and shape who we are. Throughout my life, I’ve faced tough decisions, always guided by my moral principles and values, even when it meant going against the advice of others.
As a young man in 1988, I took one of the toughest decisions of my life. I stood up to the apartheid government in South Africa, which resulted in me having to flee as a refugee, leaving everything behind.
We all face difficult decisions and choices in our lives. I hope sharing what I've learnt about making choices and leadership can help you too.
Dealing with the complexity of decisions
The most challenging decisions are never straightforward. They're difficult because there isn't a perfect and easy answer. You're always dealing with probabilities. The only way to approach difficult decisions is to use a sound decision-making process rather than relying on gut instincts or seeking perfection.
Value of process
Establishing a rigorous process, including listening to experts, weighing facts against your principles and values, researching, and soliciting diverse opinions, is crucial for making informed decisions.
Understanding your core values
Before making any decision, it’s essential to understand your core values. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you, as these values will serve as your compass in navigating difficult choices.
Seeking diverse perspectives
Actively seek out perspectives that differ from your own. Engaging with a diverse group of advisors or team members can uncover blind spots and lead to more comprehensive decision-making.
Importance of dissent
Encouraging contrarian views from team members and advisors helps prevent groupthink and fosters more robust decision-making.
Prioritising long-term impact
Consider the long-term consequences of your decisions, not just the immediate outcomes. Effective leaders think beyond the present moment and assess how their choices will impact the future.
Learning from past decisions
Reflect on past decisions and their outcomes. This reflection can provide valuable insights and help you identify patterns in your decision-making process, allowing you to improve over time.
Building resilience
Difficult decisions often come with risks and challenges. Building resilience enables you to handle setbacks and remain steadfast in your choices, even when the path ahead is uncertain. I've written about building resilience here.
Practising patience
Not all decisions need to be made immediately. Practising patience and allowing time for additional information to emerge can lead to more informed and thoughtful choices.
Assessing the risks
Evaluate the risks associated with each option. Weigh the potential downsides against the benefits to make decisions that are not only bold but also calculated and measured.
The need for reflection
Taking breaks and allowing time for thoughts to marinate, even in high-pressure situations, can lead to clearer and more refined decisions.
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Balancing work and life
Maintaining personal rituals and spending time with family and friends helps preserve your sense of self, ensuring decisions are grounded in your core values.
Humanity and integrity
Decisions should embody the fundamental principles of humanity and decency, even in the face of criticism. Do what is right and don't succumb to external pressures.
Embracing uncertainty
While outcomes can’t always be guaranteed, confidence comes from knowing you have followed a thorough process. You can look back with the knowledge that you did everything in your power to make the right decision at the time.
Communicating your decisions
Once a decision is made, clearly communicate it to those affected. Transparency and openness in communication help build trust and ensure that everyone understands the reasoning behind the decision.
A framework for decisions
In everyday life having a framework to guide decisions such as the outline above, accepting the world's complexity, and doing the best within the given circumstances is crucial.
Read more of my insights here in these LinkedIn articles:
Creative Director
6 个月I've found that real breakthroughs come from collaboration rather than top-down decision-making. True innovation happens when you dissolve hierarchies, actively invite dissent, and allow a collective process to shape the outcome. It's about creating the conditions where ideas can collide and evolve, often in unexpected ways, to deliver something greater than any one leader could achieve alone. I've been very inspired in my current endeavours with Tediophobes by Ed Catmull and his book Creativity Inc. highlighly recommended.
PhD Candidate
6 个月Leadership requires courage and a strong commitment to your values, especially when faced with difficult decisions. Your article offers valuable insights on handling complexity and building resilience, essential for anyone striving to lead effectively in challenging times. Paul Meersman