Dave,
I own a small business, and over the years we haven’t grown quite as much as I expected or hoped. We’re doing okay, but I often find myself questioning my own decisions after the fact. Do you have any suggestions for an entrepreneur looking to improve their decisionmaking abilities?
Nikki Nikki,
I’m glad you’re taking the condition of your company, and the direction it’s heading, so seriously. Believe it or not, developing your decision-making skills takes practice and hard work, just like anything else. Even the best thinkers and decisionmakers look back from time to time and wonder if they really did the right thing for their businesses and their team members.
Now, you’re not wrong if you’re sweating a little at the thought of how much practice it takes to develop these skills. Developing finely-tuneddecision-making skills isn’t easy. And like any process, it takes time. Here are a few ideas that may help you develop into a better decision-maker in the future: Take an appropriate amount of time to decide Acting on impulse, or with too little information, is foolish and dangerous. But then, so is thinking yourself to death. If the impact of the decision is small, don’t waste too much time making the call. But if it’s big or risky, spend more time thinking it through. It also doesn’t hurt to seek the counsel of someone outside your organization you trust and respect.
Gather several options Creativity may be problemsolving’s best friend, but options are the fruit of creative thinkingthatleadtoamazing solutions. You’ll feel more confident when you gather information and ideas, and study what you’re dealing with.
Learn how to delegate By doing this, you’ll free up more brain space to make decisions. And most likely, make better decisions.
Set a deadline - This will help you overcome procrastination, or freezing in fear of making the wrong decision. Put a target date on your calendar, and decide by that day. Period.
Play out the worst-case scenario in your mind - This may sound counterintuitive, but when you think through the worst that possibly happen, you’ll see that making the call probably won’t kill you—even if you’re wrong.
Remember, choosing not to decide is a decision - Sometimes, it’s the best path you can take for the short term.
Commit to your decision Follow through!
And finally, take care of yourself physically - Get enough sleep and exercise so you can think logically and be well-reasoned. James Clear, the bestselling author of Atomic Habits, says, “Your problems adjust to their true level of importance after a hard workout and a good night of sleep.”
Leaders lead. Always. When your team sees you taking steps to improve yourself and the company, they’ll buy-in more easily to your vision for the future. They’ll have added confidence in you. And it may just inspire them to undertake a journey of self-improvement, as well.
I hope this helps, Nikki!
- Dave Dave,
I’ve run my own small business for about five years. So far, we’re doing pretty well. At this point, I’d like to find ways for my company to reach out to our community, startbecomingmoreinvolved and give back a little. Do you have any suggestions for meaningful steps that would show folks how much we care?
Albert Albert,
This is a great question! The best leaders understand the concept of leadership involves a lot more than signing paychecks, hiring decisions and taking care of your team and your company. True leaders are also concerned about the health of their communities. They motivate themselves—and others—to act.
If you don’t already consider yourself a leader with the community, I want you to think about this: You have thepotentialandopportunity to become one. Being a successful businessperson can open doors to becoming a leader in the private sector as well. How do you do that? Think on a more personal level. And take time to consider the following ideas.
First, try making every contact a caring and friendly relationship moment. In today’s culture of texts and emails, there’s something special about a handwritten note. If you know someone who has a tough job or just needs a reminder that they’re doing great work, let them know. People who compliment and inspire others gain respect and influence.
Also, find a cause you’re passionate about. When an issue arises that’s important to you, write letters to other entrepreneurs and politicians respectfully expressing your thoughts and ideas. Attend city council meetings, and tell your elected representatives why you care. Get to know these folks, and make your voice heard in a thoughtful manner.
Finally, true servant leaders put others first. Is there a ministry or nonprofit whose mission you identify with? If so, jump in, and give it your all. Invest your energy, resources and time, and you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference. On top of that, make it a family affair. And by this, I mean your family at home and your team at work. Giving back to thecommunitywhilesharing theexperiencewiththoseyou love and care about can be a bonding and learning experience everyone will remember for a long, long time.
Do you get what I’m saying, Albert? Leadership opportunities don’t happen just at work. They’re all around you. All you have to do is choose a course, engage and you’ll be on your way toward making a huge positive difference in your community and the lives of people who live there.
- Dave