Leadership - How to Become a Better Decision Maker

As a leader you need to take decisions. Why? Because decisions lead to action and action leads to results. As a leader you are judged on not just what you do but the results that you achieve. Results bring rewards which act as a motivator to go to the next step and achieve. So how can you become a better decision maker and achieve more success?

Have A Clear Purpose

As a leader, what's your purpose? It might be to maximise the amount you earn in the early part of your career so that you can retire early and spend time on a hobby or interest that you love. It might be to help others who are starting out on their career to fulfil their potential and take up a leadership role similar to what you are doing. Take the time to get clear on your purpose and you will discover that taking decisions becomes easier. The reason for this is that you will have clarity to assist you in taking decisions.

Recognise That Fear Is Natural

People often put off decisions because they worry what will happen if they take a decision. If you don't take a decision nothing will happen immediately but what you have done is relinquished control. On the other hand if you take a decision something will happen. It might not be what you expected but the decision to act will result in an outcome. We all have fears and this is natural. Recognise this and go ahead and push through the uncertainty and take decisions if you want to get results.

Look At Decisions From A Different Perspective

Perspectives are simply a way of looking at a decision in different ways. When we are faced with a decision, our natural tendency might be to look at it in terms of what might go wrong or all of the obstacles or blockages that we might have to overcome. We might become de-motivated and disillusioned before we even take a decision. On the other hand, imagine how differently we might feel if we looked at the decision in terms of opportunities. If for example, we looked at the rewards, the learning, the innovation and creativity we would probably be more likely to take a decision.

See Mistakes As A Learning Opportunity

Even the most successful people have made decisions that have not worked out. Chances are that they have had more decisions that did not work out than those that did, but those that worked out were hugely successful. To avoid procrastinating when it comes to decisions, commit to learning from those decisions that work out and those that don't work out as you anticipated.

Avoid Perfectionism

How often do you hear people saying that they are waiting for x, y and z to be in place before they can take a decision? Chances are they are waiting for everything to be perfect before they take a decision. Trouble is things will never be perfect so a decision is never taken. Make a choice to commit to taking a decision even if everything is not in place, learn as you go and refine.

Bottom line - Decision making is such a vital part of leadership. So what are areas do you need to address to become a better decision maker?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements (G&A) works with individuals, teams and organisations to develop their management and leadership capability.

With 25 years business experience in a range of sectors, he understands first hand the real challenges of managing and leading in the demanding business world.

You can learn more about Duncan, Goals and Achievements services and products and sign up for his free e-course and newsletter at http://www.goalsandachievements.co.uk/

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