Decision Making

One sentence really sums up this whole lecture.....If you want to be a great leader you have to make good decisions! And what is a good decision?? The answer is a good decision enhances the ability for future decisions to be made.

When you think about it, this one sentence speaks volumes about leadership. Leadership has everything to do with the decisions you make and how successful those decisions turn out to be. There are two dimensions of decision making...the right decision and the need for others to adopt. The latter often includes a consensus of the decision. This consensus is important for the fact of everyone being satisfied with the outcomes. When coming to this consensus, it is very important to not have arguments over opinions/feelings, avoid win-lose situations, avoid changing minds just for harmony and conflict reducing techniques. Arguments/Questions keep ideas in check and help improve the process or concept of the idea. Encourage the conversation but do not let it become a fight. Let someone wear the "hat of why shouldn't we do this." This person is the only person who can say what is wrong with the idea, and this person is different every time. These recommendations are important to success.

This all comes back to communication and how important communication is in every aspect of our lives. Active listening is crucial and absolutely necessary. Leaders are active listeners and know that the problems and ideas of those workers on the front lines have valuable insight to the business of the company. These people are a wealth of knowledge use them.

One last thing, in a conflict....there are three sides to every story, be sure to get them all. Quick decisions can cause major personnel issues and patience has its virtues....later.