Feb
18
2016
No decisions = no leadership
By David Goodman.
Effective leadership demands action. Action is preceded by decisions.
The single most important quality of a leader is to make decisions. This takes a department from A to B. Having an inspiring vision is valueless if you don’t take action to achieve it. No decisions = no leadership. We often get caught up in the deliberation stage and sometimes never make that decision.
A friend of mine tells the story of attending a Sunday board meeting where an update was given on the well being of the vice-chairman, Stanley, who was very seriously ill in hospital. Stanley had been part of the organisation for many years and was dear to everyone. Here’s what happened…
The Chairman noted that he would visit Stanley in hospital the following week whilst the finance director agreed to personally deliver a basket of fruit to the family home. When the meeting concluded; Stanley was still at the forefront of everybody’s mind. One member of the board took action and made a phone call to the hospital. He had a conversation with Stanley’s wife and even managed a few words of encouragement with Stanley himself.
Stanley died later that week. The family never received the fruit and the Chairman never made his visit.
How many baskets of fruit are you still waiting to deliver? How many visits have you missed?
There are 4 categories of decisions and defining the category will make it easier to make the decision:
- Simple. The outcome is clear. The strategy is clear. You know what needs to be done and how. Do it.
- Complicated. The outcome is clear. The strategy is clear but there are a number of options in which to achieve the same goal. Don’t join those who procrastinate at this stage.
- Complex. The outcome is clear. The strategy is unclear. You know what needs to be done but the ‘how’ is unclear. This is a most common leadership scenario.
- Chaotic. The outcome is unclear. The strategy is unclear. The short term goal is damage limitation.
Working through the following process will show your colleagues, junior and senior, that you have taken a considered approach to reaching your decision:
- Outcome. Establish the desired outcome. What is it you want to achieve? What difference will your decision make? This will ensure that only relevant options are being considered.
- Context. Identify the context in which the decision is being made. What are the circumstances? What is going on around you? Each situation is unique. What must be taken into consideration; who are the stakeholders; who will it affect?
- Risk analysis. Information gathering. Carry out a risk analysis. What is already weighted in your favour? What are the weak points? Do a SWOT analysis.
- Options. What are the options? What are the consequences of each option?
- Decide. Prioritise the options and review the decision reached.
- Act. Focus and don’t look back. Stand by your decision and do what is needed to make it a success.
Having an inspiring vision is valueless if you don’t take action to achieve it. No decisions = no leadership.
If these words have hit home for you or inspired you to take action at your workplace, why not further enhance this message within your team and come along to our Strategic planning and thinking skills course?
This two-day course will equip you with effective tools and proven techniques to take your team from A to B. Our trainers ensure that the course content is tailored to you, to make sure you can apply this thinking to your organisation.
Here is a testimonial from one of our delegates who attended our Strategic planning and thinking skills course:
‘The course was very well structured and all content was helpful and relevant to me and my job role’. DG, Restorative Justice Council
The next available date for this course is the 21 March – 22 March which is now 20% off! So book now to improve your strategic thinking skills and feel confident in making those important strategic decisions.
David Goodman has over 25 years' experience as a coach, consultant and trainer focussing on enhancing performance and productivity with individuals, teams and organisations. David specialises in the Management Ladder courses at the Centre, creating strong leadership at all levels. A qualified fitness coach, David draws on his competitive sporting background to create meaningful analogies to help managers at all levels address their challenges with confidence.
