Make a Decision!

If you sometimes wonder why management makes the “big bucks”, one reason is that they have the responsibility for setting direction and making decisions on behalf of the company. Some decisions are no-brainers and can be made on the run. Others require significant research, analysis, legal review, and approval from executive management. Fallout from just one really bad decision can ruin a career. That’s why some managers get so bound up in the process that they postpone important decisions that affect their ability to meet strategic goals.

On the surface, decision-making seems pretty simple. Just make a list of Pros and Cons, look at the results, make a choice, and move on. But what do you do when your options seem equally good (or bad), and it’s time to pick a direction?

WEIGH THE PROS & CONS: You may have 10 things on the Pros side, and 10 things on the Cons side, but they are not all equal. Assign each item a “weight” based on importance and impact. Add up each side again, using the weight number and see how the chips fall.

EXAMINE YOUR GUT: You must not base important decisions solely based on a gut feeling, but you can take your intuition into account as a factor. Think about why you feel the way you do and qualify that feeling into something to add to your weighted Pros and Cons list.

GATHER INPUT: You’ve already brainstormed with your own team – now approach trusted colleagues or mentors for their opinions. Other perspective and experience may add new light to the subject.

PREPARE A BACKUP PLAN: Whichever choice you consider, be sure to play out some risk scenarios on paper, in case you have to change direction. If legal agreements are required, include protection to cover your worst nightmares (e.g. the vendor you have chosen to work with goes out of business).

ACCEPT THAT THERE MAY BE NO “BEST” CHOICE: Someday you will have to choose between two equally good options. Don’t let that delay your choice too much. If you can live with either choice – make the decision, feel good about it, and move on. In business, keeping momentum has its own value.

DO WHAT YOU CAN LIVE WITH: You may worry about whether you are making the best choice for the long run. It may be a long time before you know for certain how it turns out. But if you’ve done your analysis and made a decision based on facts and logical reasoning, you should be willing and able to defend your actions if challenged. (“I went with my gut” will not be an effective defense.)

Now, suck it up and be a real leader. Make a decision!