Running a business can be challenging, at the best of times. We have to deal with many people and situations. Issues with buyers, suppliers, employees, finances, marketing and business strategy to name just a few. Many of these challenges can be overwhelming, particularly when they occur at the same time. How quickly and successfully you can make decisions will influence the impact both short and long term.
To be able to make decisions with confidence and clarity has many ongoing benefits. Not least of all in building your leadership skills.
When times are tough, we all look to the person who will take a stand and make the decisions necessary to move towards a resolution. There is no comfort to be found when the person in charge is hesitating, second guessing and procrastinating, we need a decisive leader. Even if you are a solo operator without a team, your ability to make decisions will give you the direction needed to deal with whatever is going on.
To be viewed as strong and decisive, you must make decisions promptly, even when under pressure or during a crisis. So how decisive are you? If you struggle to make decisions the following tips may help.
Look at the facts
Before making a decision it is important to have all of the relevant data. Too often decisions are made with pieces of the puzzle missing, or with conjecture and opinion playing a role. Make sure your decisions are based on what is factual, if you’re not sure, research it.
Know yourself and others
When it comes to deciding who does what we must have all the data related to tasks and we must know our self and those in our team. This knowledge gives us the ability to delegate well. You can make strong decisions based on your own strengths, and the strengths of your employees.
Show confidence in your own ability
It’s great to take the opinions and ideas of others on board, but don’t be swayed by what others want. Ultimately the decision lies with you. Weigh up the information you have at hand, and decide which is the best course of action. Then implement!
Manage your time
If you need to decide on a minor issue, don’t waste your precious time ruminating, save that for major decisions with far reaching consequences. Too often we procrastinate over minor issues and delay dealing with them. Deal with them quickly and remove them from your priority list (you do have one of those, right?)
Don’t worry about making the wrong choice
Too often it is fear that holds us back from making a decision. The fear of making the wrong decision can render us indecisive. While we’re sitting thinking about all the things that could possibly go awry, progress comes to a grinding halt. Acknowledge the fear, and acknowledge the need for you to make a decision and move forward.
Take Action!
Failure to implement is one of our biggest problems in business. We know we need to do something, yet we put it off, postpone and second guess ourselves. Weigh up your options, don’t get too caught up in the details, make a choice, and do it! Done is always better than perfect!
