Great leaders are great decision-makers. Anyone can make a decision when the choice is obvious, but elite leaders can make tough choices when the stakes are high and the solution isn't clear.
The good news is that, like the rest of leadership, decision making is a skill you can learn, practice and develop. If you currently struggle to take decisive action or feel paralyzed by indecision, business leadership coaching can help. With the help of a coach, you can become a leader who acts with clarity and confidence.
Even if you have years of experience making decisions, a coach can help you refine your decision-making process, ensuring that the decisions you make align with your values and move you closer to your purpose.
The quality of your decisions determines the success of your business.
Like a muscle, you can grow your ability to make decisions, improving your leadership and business every day.
Clarify your purpose
The first thing an executive business coach will help you do is clarify your purpose and priorities. To make effective choices, you have to really know what you want and why that is important.
Clarity is power.
First, ask yourself, "What is the ultimate outcome I want to achieve?"
Then, "What is my greater purpose?"
When you know what you want (the outcome) and why you want it (your purpose), decisions are much clearer.
Your company's purpose, values and priorities act as a north star, guiding your decisions.
Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever, is a powerful example of a leader who aligned his decisions with a greater purpose.
Unilever's mission was to "make sustainable living commonplace." Polman decided to stop issuing quarterly profit guidance, refusing to cater to short-term shareholder pressure. Instead, he focused on long-term growth and social impact. He committed to reducing Unilever's environmental footprint while continuing to grow the business.
