The Wise Leader Process for Tough Decisions
As a leader, what is your process to make tough decisions?
This may be the best and most difficult place to see God at work. That is the “slow work of God.” Process takes self-discipline which is often overlooked as a fruit of the spirit. Remember discipline makes space for God to work.
Based on the conversations I’ve been having with leaders, executives, and managers, knowing what to do—and how to do it best—has become more important than ever before. We need a better process to manage in uncharted territories.
Think about it: simple systems are extremely predictable and require few interactions or interventions. And while complicated systems have many moving parts, their operations are predictable; there are clear patterns. Complex systems may operate in patterned ways, but their interactions are continually changing. As a result, they require wise leadership to continuously assess and adjust for new data, as well as all of the possible consequences of a change.
To be sure, wise leaders understand that they have limits in their knowledge and wisdom, but they can use a process to manage complexity.
The Tough Decision Process
1. Identify subject matter experts and resources. A wise leader relies on data, but also ensures that the right questions are being asked, to (and by) the right experts.
2. Collect accurate, verifiable, and reliable information. Recognize interests, goals, and values to create context for the data.
3. Evaluate and annotate findings. While you may be tempted to discard information that may be unreliable, incomplete, biased, etc., save the information with notations for future reference.
4. Create time and space to reflect on the information. Examine it with your mind, gut, and heart, by asking yourself:
o “What lines up with God’s values?”
o “Who stands to benefit the most?” (always seek the benefit of others)
o “Who is most at risk?”
o “How will this impact the future?”
o “What are the impacts today?”
o “What is the right thing to do, right now?”
It is in this process that we have an opportunity to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Sometimes, taking more time before acting is the wisest thing to do. To be sure, action is important. But give yourself time to embrace the elements that make you wise, as well as the paradoxes:
1. Recognize your limits, and ask for help when needed. Act with humility and courage.
2. Acknowledge feelings, practice temperance in expression, and strengthen your emotional resilience.
3. Allow time and space for others, as well as self. Be patient, forgiving, and show mercy.
4. Practice compassion and fairness. View situations as they are, with a dispassionate, clear eye of human nature.
5. Demonstrate your ability to cope with adversity: be brave, persistent, and act with integrity.
6. Embrace ambiguity, practice gratitude, and cultivate hope that more shall be revealed.
When this topic comes up with my coaching clients, we discuss how common “brain fog” is right now. After all, we are charting a course through a global pandemic. Using this as a checklist can help you navigate through the fog.
What do you think? Where do you see the model of wise leadership in your organization? I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me here marc@moleadershipcoaching.com and on LinkedIn
If you are committed to following Jesus and have a passion for work, I would love to connect. Just to encourage one another. My work focuses on Family Enterprises where the family roles and enterprise roles often create chaos. Let’s connect for a quick call to see if we might help one another at Marc’s Calendar