The Courage to Make Decisions
Leadership is courage. One of the most defining aspects of courageous leadership is the ability to make tough decisions. As a leader, I often find myself in situations where the path ahead isn't clear, the stakes are high, and the pressure is immense. But what sets great leaders apart is the courage to make decisions, even when the outcomes are uncertain.
Recently, I made the decision to grow my business, which meant I needed to hire; and, I knew who I would hire. My kids. For some, this would be a no-brainer, easy, and safe. Not for me, and this is only because my kids and I have a very tight relationship and I didn’t want anything hindering that in any way. Working together with family has its own challenges.
I also, frankly, was afraid of the financial part of it. Hiring means a lot more financial responsibility, work, stress. Period.
But I knew this was what I wanted, to run a family business. Today, both of my kids work with me and it’s been so much fun. Don’t get me wrong, there’s been hiccups and frankly, some very passionate conversations (we’re Latinos, it happens often).
Working with my kids has really tested my courage to make decisions. They encourage and push me to think and believe bigger, and then make the decisions in alignment with that. It’s scary.
We’ve had to decide to pivot our company's strategy in many ways. It’s been a daunting choice. The data has been inconclusive, and the risks have been significant. But by gathering my team, listening to their insights, and weighing the pros and cons, I’ve made the tough call to pivot. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s turning out to be one of the best decisions, propelling us to make even braver decisions in the near future.
Peter Drucker once said, "Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision." This quote serves as a constant reminder of the power of bold decision-making in leadership. It inspires me to embrace the uncertainties and challenges that come with making tough choices.
In my career, I’ve faced critical decisions. The pressure has been immense, and the path unclear, but recalling Drucker's words has, on multiple occasions, given me the strength to trust my instincts and take decisive action. Those courageous decisions have not only led to remarkable success, but also reinforced the importance of decisiveness in leadership. It’s a testament to how one bold choice can be the catalyst of positive outcomes, pushing boundaries and driving positive change, outcomes, and transformation.
Three Tips on How to Be a Decisive Leader
Gather All Relevant Information: Make informed decisions by collecting as much pertinent information as possible. This means understanding the facts, listening to expert opinions, and considering different perspectives. The more informed you are, the better your decisions will be.
Trust Your Instincts: While data and information are crucial, don't ignore your gut feelings. Often, your intuition can guide you in the right direction when you face uncertainty. Trusting your instincts can help you make swift and confident decisions.
Commit and Follow Through: Once you’ve made a decision, commit to it fully (I have faulted on this one and I continue to learn how important it is not to waiver. Commitment is key). Clear communication and decisive action are key to ensuring your team understands the direction and can rally behind it. Consistency and follow-through build trust and momentum.
Decisive leadership is not about always being right; it’s about taking action and learning from the outcomes. As we know, making bold decisions requires immense courage, but it's vital to becoming a remarkable leader.
We invite you to join our 12-Week "Courageous Leadership'' Challenge. By the end of the 12 weeks, you will not only have a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with courage, but you will also have developed the confidence to make bold decisions, inspire others, and drive meaningful change within your organization and community.
https://alphaandomegastrategies.com/leadership-is
Coming this Fall: Masterclass Series: Coaching, Navigating Difficult Conversations, and our NEW class Giving + Receiving Feedback. This is an incredible chance to continue growing your leadership. Don't wait—plan to join our masterclasses this fall and take the first steps in transforming and growing as a Leader.
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Stay tuned for more insights and strategies in our discovery of what leadership is. Together, let's cultivate the audacity to dream and create a bigger and brighter future.
Jacqueline