This or that?

How Decision-Making Defines You

Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash

Here’s a question: How do you make decisions? Do you feel confident and calm in that moment of making a choice and determining the best course of action? Or do you get swept up in the heat of the moment and make choices impulsively? Or delay and agonize over the best possible decision so that you waste time and then make a design you are unsure about? Your decision-making is something to pay attention to because, as a leader, your ability to make sound decisions represents you to those around you. Your decision-making - and your approach to it - is part of your leadership presence; it is an essential part of what defines you to others.

Decision making is no joke. It’s been said that we make between 33,000 and 35,000 decisions a day. You read that right; we make over thirty thousand decisions every day, from mundane to profound. You’re making decisions on what to wear, when to wake up, and what to eat every single day. Then you’re also making decisions that determine the fates of others (making a schedule, hiring and firing people) and determine your own happiness (making a deposit in your savings, going on vacation, and what song you want to hear next). We’re constantly confronted with decisions, large and small, and our decisions at work have weight; they often affect others.

We don’t make decisions in a bubble, decision-making is a process and it is comprised of many influences and triggers. Our decisions are impacted by our:

• Emotions: There are the emotions that we’re experiencing in the moment (comfort/stress/frustration) and then we have feelings about the decision itself and all its parts (the people and pieces involved).

• Biases: We all have conscious and unconscious biases that can affect and color our thinking in the moment of making a decision. Our biases can especially affect our ability to decide well and holistically if we’re not aware of them.

• Reasoning: Our ability to reason and weigh each piece of the decision, and its outcome, is key to our confidence in making a sound decisions.

• Memories: We have various experiences with decision-making (as the person deciding and as a result of another person’s decision) and our memories of decision-making (gone wrong or right) impact what we choose and how fast we reach for that particular determination.

Then, on top of all that, we each have barriers to decision-making that raise questions in our processing of the decision itself:

• Timeliness: is there time to involve others or must I decide right now?

• Ego: how will this decision affect me and how others perceive me?

• Incomplete data: do you have all the information (data) you need to make the best decision?

  • This is the source of many a poor decision, thus we must ensure we have all the information we need to make the most effective decision.

• Job anxiety: will my decision affect my standing or popularity in my role?

• Insecurity: I’m not sure how to make the decision, is this the right thing to do, or is it a big mistake?

That’s right, decision-making is fraught with doubt and various considerations. For example, if you feel pushed to make a decision in the moment (without adequate information), then, when you add in the variables of ego, anxiety, and insecurity, your ability to make a sound decision is deeply thwarted. That’s a lot!

So, what to do? It’s important to remember that decision-making is a response to many factors. And you can control your response. Yes, you can learn to control how you respond in the moment. And, as a leader, your ability to control your response will help you make a sound decision. And it all comes down to this: P. A. D. D.:

• Pause

• Assess

• Determine

• Decide.

The best, first step, is to take a Pause. To take a breath so you can calm your mind and emotions. This gives you a moment to reflect and Assess your thoughts. Do you have all the information you need? Are you caught up in emotions and ego, or are you leaning on the data and the experience (memories) you have amassed? Once you’ve assessed what makes sense for you, then you can Determine your options and course of action (remember, decision making is a process!), and then, finally, Decide the best choice for you, your team, and your operation.

Always remember: leadership is in public. Your ability to make a sound and thoughtful decision will be noticed and modeled by those around you. And P.A.D.D. is a tool you can use to ensure you’re in the right headspace…the mindset of a calm, prepared, and thoughtful leader.

Paid subscribers: See below for a helpful worksheet for improving your decision-making skills!

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When you’re ready here’s how you can work with me:

• 1:1 individual coaching can help you identify your deeply ingrained, outdated habits and help you build yourself into the leader you know you can be. A leader who is authentic, confident, and energizing to be around.

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I look forward to working with you!

* discount applies to the purchase of the Bedrock Trio (a 3-class series for one 16-person group) on various leadership & service topics…an $800 value!