Everyday, leaders face tough decisions. Sometimes they have to make them in a rush. This is just a sign of our times. A good leader knows he/she can not fall into that trap. Always try to take the proper time to consider your decisions. With that said, I’ll share with you 4 practices you should take into account in order to make better leadership decisions.
1. ARGUE ON IDEAS, NOT PERSONS.
If someone presents you and idea don’t attack the arguer, attack the idea. It’s not unusual to argue against someone and not the ideas that person is presenting to us. Always try to point out this distinction, let the other know you’re not criticizing him/her but their idea or point of view. Be polite and let the other finish their argument before replying.
2. DEFINE THE PROBLEM FIRST, THEN LOOK FOR THE SOLUTION.
Jumping on solutions before defining the real problem. For example, “we need to cut the internet access during work hours to our personnel in order to prevent them watching youtube videos all day long”. Have you seen this before? I’ve seen this many times, and most of the time the “solution” has nothing to do with the real “underlying” problem.
3. GATHER ALL THE INFORMATION POSSIBLE.
Using only “selective” information. For example, “this week James has showed up late two times to our meeting. He is not motivated.”. Basing a judgement in only parcial information is often misleading and incorrect. Try to gather as much information as possible, and from different sources before making your judgement.
4. TAKE THE TIME TO FIND OUT THE INFORMATION, DON’T ASSUME ANYTHING.
Don’t appeal to ingnorance. For example, “I haven’t heard of Mike yet, so he’s not into it.” Go and find out, don’t assume anything unless you’re required to. And if you’re doing so, then state it clearly.
Sometimes a bad decision has more to do with bad habits than anything else. Don’t be caught by your habits!!. Watch your thinking habits, and you will be a better decision maker. Of course, with practice you will install these habits in your everyday life.
LEADERSHIP ACTIONS
1. Next time you face a decision, go through the next questions:
- Am I against the arguments or the person? Always isolate the message from the messenger!!
- What is the problem? Only after answering this question, go to What is the solution?
- Do we know everything we need to? If we don’t, How can we find out?
- Is there anything we can do to clear out all the assumptions? If there is, go clear them out. If there is not, then state clearly your assumptions. <– The key is to identify them.
Jot the questions down and have them with you a week or so, after several decisions you’ll have installed a new strategy to face decisions, and figure out solutions.
Remember: Be Alert, Be A Leader 
Leadership
3 comments
I agree that leadership takes decision making skills but only after going through an enlightened and verified information. Some leaders tend to make decisions at the peak of their emotions and most of the time they end up with decisions they would soon regret. So, a word of caution… never make decisions when you are high with emotions and only after having all the information needed. Don’t trust hearsays and gossips. to Mr. Ken Valenzuela, thanks for the informative article.
Yes true we are always advised to speak with data Kaizen Institute.Even when solving problems as per the Kaizen methodology we are trained to gather all information before taking any counter measures to solve problems in the Gemba.
Kens advise is appreciated very much.Very good bit of advice Thanks.Leaders must develope these skills and also attentive listening.
Tell me any unsuccessful leader and I will tell you he has made a wrong decision in a wrong mood at a wrong time.
CHUKS V. AUGUSTUS
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