Decisions drive actions.
Some decisions must be made right away.
Others should wait until you get more data.
Some should be shared and some should be delegated.
Some should be collective, while others are yours to make alone.
Often these decision-framing choices are as important as the decision itself.
The biggest decision is very often whether to get involved at all.
Leaders often have opportunities to jump into or sidestep issues.
Remember that what you don’t do defines you
Don’t worry about getting every decision right.
You won’t.
If 70-80% of your decisions are good ones you are doing great.
But make sure that you put much more effort into the Big Ones.
Use structured decision—making techniques.
Summarize the pros and cons.
Think about contingency plans for when things go wrong…or right.
Think about how to reduce risk.
Think about how to increase the chances of success.
Get advice.
Sleep on it if you can.
Line up support ahead of time.
And remember your first principles…
Mission success, compassion, honesty and openness, fairness and the perception of fairness.
