Big Decisions
As leaders, we make hundreds and hundreds of normal decisions throughout the day. Many of them unconscious and seemingly by habit. We also make big decisions. Important decisions. Decisions that alter the course of a business, change the landscape of a team, create revenue, cut expenses, push projects to next year, etc.
Big decisions are part of the job of a leader. Normal and ordinary. But I recommend to always sleep on a big decision. It can wait until the next day. Always. And the extra time will allow your decision to be one without the emotion of a spontaneous response.
Just a small step in the process of decision making, but one that is worth it.
John,
I read Contrarians Guide to Leadership a few months back and one of the most astounding and difficult things I think we have to do as leaders is exactly what you advise. Step back, breath, take a moment. The book covers this in one of the chapters and ONE of the unseen benefits is that many times the leader doesn’t end up having to make the decision because other things work themselves out. It does depend on the situation but Steven Sample’s (the author) point is that waiting until the last possible minute to make a decision is sometimes the best way to act. I think he calls it suspending judgment. We tend to “judge” a situation and decide quickly. That can make it hard to be open to new and different solutions down the road.