In my experience, decision makers are not always Great Leaders; but, Great Leaders are always decision makers.
I remember that, as a beginning life insurance agent, I was often frustrated to hear people tell me that they did not want to make a decision about the purchase of a policy … especially without having the opportunity to “think about it”. The experience of my peers and subsequently my own experience had shown that the longer people thought about a decision, the more likely it was that they would make no decision. I came to believe that the decision to make no decision was, in fact, a decision to do nothing. In hindsight, I can see that my belief was only partially correct.
For a great many individuals, this assumption was accurate. They chose to avoid a decision in the belief that, so long as they made no decision, their circumstances would always remain the same and that they would have ample time to take action when they chose to do so. Of course, we all know that this is not true; that circumstances are always changing and that those changes can and do remove options that we may have previously had available to us.
On the other hand, Great Leaders are very aware of the continuous changes going on around them. This is not to say that they can predict the changes that will occur; or, that they will recognize the change the moment it happens. However, they know that change is inevitable and that indecision only delays the decisions that must be made. They also recognize that the passage of time can alter the options available to them … sometimes offering more options, other times fewer options. So, what do they do?
Great Leaders stop and take time to consider the options available to them, including the option to do nothing at this time. They weigh the plusses and minuses of each option and then make a decision based on what they believe to be the best alternative. They make this decision with confidence and then they lead their team in the implementation of the decision that they have made. They take action … massive action. As a wise man once said, “Massive action provides immediate feedback. It tells you that you are on the right course and you should proceed; or, it tells you that you are on the wrong path and that you need to turn back, reconsider your decision, and make the appropriate changes.” Decision makers are not always Great Leaders; but, Great Leaders are always decision makers.
How do you make decisions? Click “comment” and share your decision making process.
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com