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Ask the right question. When clients come to us, they frequently know what they want but not what they need. Part of our job is to make sure that they are framing the problem correctly.
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Consult stakeholders. Have you considered the views of everyone who may be affected by the decision? Whether you agree or not with their views, make sure to find out what they think and how you can help them move through any change.
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Gather diverse opinions. Both Obama and Kennedy were famous for seeking out devil’s advocates – those who they knew disagreed with their plan of action. Whether or not they agreed with the other view, listening helped order their thinking. In addition, seeking other opinions made the naysayers feel heard, which helped with execution down the line. Even if people don’t agree with your decision, if they know you listened, they are more likely to follow.
- Create confidence in your decision. Obama stressed that no matter
what you decide, there is a chance you may have made the wrong decision. In the meantime, if you waffle, those you lead will be likely to drag their feet on getting things done. Waffling just sows division among the ranks, wastes time and drives dissatisfaction. Instead, once you have decided, create a positive atmosphere about making things work.
Send us your best decision making tips: what works and what doesn’t work.
June 4, 2018
