Make Sound and Timely Decisions

When you make sound decisions you are making decisions that consider all options and weigh the results of each action. Sound decisions also leave room for errors and corrections.

Timely decisions enable you to react effectively and with coordination. Waiting too long may lose you the trust placed in your leadership. Reacting too quickly can endanger your people and your organization.

You must learn to make decisions if you are to be a leader. Every situation will dictate decision making. Some decisions will be made under stress, and your ability to lead will rest on those moments. You need to be able to anticipate and to use reason as you decide upon the right decision.

But understand, every decision comes with consequences. If you can accept this, then you will not have problems making them.

Sound Decisions

A sound decision is a decision you make that doesn't leave questions unanswered. There are some times when you have to rely on your training and education in order to make decisions. For military leaders, sound decisions are based solely on training and adaptation in order to save lives and accomplish missions. Sound decision making requires that you understand all the options and assess your situation with multiple points of view.

Some call quick decisions the "gut feeling". To be honest, "gut feelings" come with time, training, and analysis. As I said, anticipation and reasoning are necessary tools in decision making, especially when decisions are needed on a moments notice. Not all decisions are that critical.

Sound decision making should involve those around you. Do not be afraid of hearing what they have to say about the situation. In fact, if the decision is not critical time wise, you best serve your team when you allow for discussion before you finalize a decision. This gives your people confidence in you because you placed confidence in them.

Timely Decisions

I have read that "indecisive leaders create hesitancy, loss of confidence, and confusion." Waiting too long to a make the best decision will drive your people crazy. Some because they already see the decision that needs to be made. Others because they begin to wonder if you are second guessing everything.

If you do not believe in yourself - neither will those who follow you. When it comes to timing, John Maxwell says:

• Right timing makes a good decision a better decision
• When leaders fail to seize the moment, they undermine their leadership
• There is a right season for everything
• Good discernment precedes good decisionsThere is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heavenEcclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
  

You will never be fully satisfied with your decisions - but you will never satisfy if you do not make them. Timing is necessary for good leadership. Every decision is practice for those moments when critical decisions need to be made. Be intentional in your every decision you make in your organization, and you will in time grow confident in making decisions - just don't get a big head! Humility still plays a role in the character of every leader.

Here is my interpretation of three practical steps for making decisions from a military field manual:

1. Gather essential information before making your decision
2. Announce your decisions so your team can react and make the necessary adjustments to the task
3. Consider the effects of your decisions: both long-term and short-term
4. Make the decision - put it into action

Every success and failure requires a decision. Henry Ford said it best, "Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently." Be a decision maker - a sound and timely decision maker.