On any given day C-Suite executives face various decisions, ranging from inconsequential to monumental. Whether they come from shareholders, employees, or customers, it's overwhelming trying to make the best decision each time. We are, after all, susceptible to mistakes, no matter how hard we try to avoid them.
But when it comes to making more complex decisions about business strategies, consumer operations, or even management, the outcome can greatly impact your organization—and possibly your career.
Here are five tips to help you make decisions more effectively.
Create a Baseline
While each decision has a unique set of circumstances, it’s helpful for executives to develop a criteria system to assist with the process. Doing so will protect you, your employees, and the company from questionable irregularities or indecisions.
Narrow Your Scope
It’s estimated the average person makes over 35,000 decisions a day. Most are done automatically and without much thought, but the more prominent and crucial become overwhelming with all that leaders are tasked with. Our suggestion to simplify things? Reduce the number of choices you have. Your team might think presenting various options is the way to go, but kindly ask they submit no more than 3-4 choices at a time.
Ask For Opinions
We know it sounds like asking for outside opinions could only complicate the decision-making process further, but it’s usually the opposite. When done right, seeking advice from those you trust and respect will only help, especially with more challenging and complicated decisions. It will also emphasize your willingness to be open-minded and accepting of the advice of your colleagues, a desired leadership quality.
Delegate What You Can
Of all the decisions that cross your desk or inbox each day, we’re willing to bet some could be handled by another employee. Don’t be afraid to pass these along, freeing up your time (and headspace) for the more pressing items on your to-do list.
Utilize The Rule Of Ten
Dr. Melinda Fouts, founder of the website Success Starts With You, says that when debating a decision, leaders should evaluate how they’ll feel about the outcome in 10 days, 10 months, and 10 years. This mindset allows room for objectivity, keeping emotions in check.
She goes on to say, “The truth is, everyone has limitations, and leadership often requires you to focus on what’s best for the company without necessarily taking the time to work on yourself. It’s easy to get stretched too thin and quickly lose perspective.” By setting aside time to assess the short and long-term implications of your actions, you can feel confident in the choices for yourself and your business.
Remember, if you’re feeling burnt out from the number of decisions presented to you daily, you aren't alone. It comes with the territory, but that doesn’t mean it has to overshadow other areas of responsibility. Keep things in perspective, delegate when necessary, and stay consistent—those are the easiest choices you can make.
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