Principles over Pragmatism

Making the most of your leadership decision-making

In today's fast-paced world, the decisions we make as leaders are more pivotal than ever. As a CEO of a large not-for-profit organisation, and a mum of two children under 7, I understand the complexities involved in balancing the mission-driven goals of my organisation with the practicalities of everyday life. I remember, a number of years ago, listening to a podcast that talked about successful CEOs making one or two good decisions every day. But, I believe that leadership isn't just about making decisions that work - it's about making decisions that align with our core values and principles.

Leadership life lessons: A personal reflection

Early in my career, I faced a moment that forever changed my approach to leadership. We were presented with a partnership opportunity that promised significant financial gain but required compromising on our organisation’s mission, purpose and values. Pragmatically, the partnership would have been highly beneficial in the short term. But I knew, in my well-principled gut, that the decision wasn’t “who we are”.

The decision was difficult, but it paid off. Our team trusted us. They knew that our decisions were deeply rooted in our values, and we saw the impact on staff engagement and morale. Eventually, we also attracted partners whose values aligned with ours, resulting in greater long-term funding and stronger community support. This experience truly reaffirmed my belief that principles must guide our decisions.

3 clear advantages of Principle-Based Decision-Making

When we prioritise principles over pragmatism, we create a foundation that can serve to guide us through uncertainty and change. Principles act like a compass, keeping us on course even when external circumstances shift. Here’s why and how leading with principles can make a significant difference:

1. Consistency builds trust: Making decisions rooted in our values, means making consistent decisions. People know what to expect from leaders who are consistent in our decision-making. This reliability fosters trust among our teams, stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
2. Long-term vision over immediate gains: While pragmatic decisions might present immediate benefits, principle-based choices often contribute to sustainable success. They ensure that our actions today aren’t in conflict with our vision for tomorrow.
3. Courage to innovate: Sticking to our principles sometimes requires courage - especially when faced with the status quo. However, steadfastly sticking to principles often leads us to the kind of creativity that inspires innovative solutions.

Knowing and understanding the benefits of deciding to keep principles at the centre of your decision making also gives you the confidence to persevere through the difficulties enroute to success – and confidence is contagious.

Your 4-step guide to successfully applying Principle-Based Leadership

If you’re looking to ensure that your leadership practice incorporates principle-based decision-making, consider following these steps:

1. Define your core values: Clearly articulate both your personal and organisational values. They need to mean something, and, they need to be clearly actionable.
2. Evaluate decisions through the lens of your principles: When faced with a decision, ask yourself whether it aligns with your core values. If it conflicts, consider how you can adjust the situation to align better with those principles.
3. Cultivate the culture: Create an organisational culture where principles are openly discussed and debated. This encourages team members to make value-based decisions and brings different perspectives to the table.
4. Reflect and learn: After making a decision, take the time to reflect on outcomes. Was the decision in alignment with your principles, and what did you learn from the process? This reflection can be invaluable for personal and organisational growth.

I firmly believe in the value of this approach as I have seen how it has strengthened my own leadership decision-making and that of my entire organisation. Simplicity is the key, and I would be very keen to hear your thoughts and experiences with this methodology.

A final thought on leadership and legacy

Leading is about more than decision-making and as leaders, our journey is constantly evolving. Balancing principles with pragmatism is not always easy - especially when the latter can offer a quick fix or immediate solution. But the value of principle-based leadership is unquestionable.

In the end, leadership is about more than making decisions. It’s about making a difference. By staying true to our principles and leading with integrity, we inspire those around us and create lasting impact. Leading with principles over pragmatism helps us to shape ourselves, our teams and our organisations to make decisions that truly impact our community. After all, the choices we make today lay the foundation for the legacy we leave tomorrow.