How I Make Better Decisions - Faster

As a leader, I am forced to make dozens of decisions every day. During this pandemic that has only multiplied.

Thankfully, years ago I learned the secret to making better decisions faster.

When I’m pushed for a quick answer – when everyone knows a decision needs to be made now, but without time to get all the information I might normally require to make a decision.

I empower the team to make the decision.

Sometimes I simply don’t have enough information or enough time to gather it, even though by position the decision would normally be mine to make. It happens frequently enough I need to have a plan for those occasions. There are simply decisions, which need to be made quickly, but I don’t know the parameters we need to make the best decision, as well as others on the team.

I could slow down progress and micromanage. Instead, I empower people to make decisions.

In times like this, the people on our staff:

Have more knowledge about the issue than I have.

Usually have an opinion of what we should do.

Often hope I’ll answer the way they want me to.

Won’t always share their idea until I ask for it.

In those times, I will ask a question, such as, “What do you think we should do?” or “Are you comfortable enough to put your name behind it?” or “What would you do if you were me?”

Then I go with their instinct – maybe even over my own.

Healthy leadership means healthy empowerment.

But, and this is key if you truly want people to give you input, I let them know I will back them in the decision.

And, equally important, I let them know they will be also held partially responsible for the outcome.