Doesn't it make sense that, in order to perform as an effective, efficient, productive leader, you would need to be ready, willing, and able to make well-considered decisions, in a timely manner? Unfortunately, however, after having dedicated more than three decades to identifying, qualifying, developing, training and consulting, to over a thousand actual and/or potential leaders, I have come to realize how few individuals are actually prepared to do so! This ability and/or asset, is so essential and necessary, that I have decided to dedicate this article to a basic, easy-to-remember (and understand), mnemonic methodology, to enhancing a leader's basic DECISION making process.
1. Delve deeply; determine: Decisive leaders do not merely perform a surface-type examination of issues, ideas, needs, concerns and priorities, but rather make and take the time, energy and resources necessary to delve deeply, into issues, and fully understand and comprehend alternatives, options, opportunities, and then, to determine the best approach, and/or course of action.
2. Empathy; enrich; evolve: If you wish to lead, do so in the most empathetic, quality manner, so you can understand the concerns, needs and priorities, of your constituents and stakeholders. Seek to consistently enrich their experience, so they are motivated to care, and do more! Leadership is not about merely repeating the same-old, same-old, but rather must be evolutionary, in order to maintain your relevance, and enhance the group's sustainability.
3. Cooperate; comprehensive: Rather than trying to pit various factions against each other, or slyly take sides, focus on getting them to cooperate, in the best interests of the organization. Don't merely look at the surface issues, but rather proceed in a comprehensive, well-considered way!
4. Ideas-based: What is the basic idea, premise, focus or concern, you wish to commit to, and attempt to get constituents to buy into? Have you considered alternatives, in terms of how they sync with your central ideology?
5. Sustainable system: Understand that your tenure in a position of leadership is almost always limited and finite. For this reason, if you wish to create anything significant, you must develop a sustainable system, and motivate future leaders, to adopt your approach, as their own.
6. Ideology; integrity: Have you examined your ideology, and examined your motives and/or reasons, for focusing on those ideas? Unless you proceed with absolute integrity, you are lacking a central component in quality, meaningful, decision-making!
7. Options; opportunity: Making the best decision means balancing thoroughly reviewing and considering options and alternatives, with the need to proceed decisively, and in a timely manner. Be prepared for those opportunities that may present themselves, and be certain you are ready, willing and able, to recognize them, when they do. If the best opportunity does not present itself, create your own!
8. Needs-based: What good is any approach that does not focus on needs, concerns and priorities?
If you decide to lead, be prepared to decide, in a relevant, well-considered, timely manner! Using this mnemonic approach, you will be able to clearly focus on what you need to do.
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events, consulted to over a thousand leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for over 30 years. Rich has written three books and well
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