Organisations expect many things from leaders, most of all, the trusted ability to decide

Great leaders make big decisions, and effective leaders stand out, because they are both courageous and skilled, in making the right decisions repeatedly.

To be effective the leader, must earn the trust of the organisation and its stakeholders – making decisions and taking ownership of them. Indecisiveness is one of history’s greatest leadership killers and great leaders cannot afford it. Organisations thrive when leaders make the right decisions, and what is less obvious, is the fact that organisations can suffer worse fates, when leaders refuse to make decisions at all. Leaders make decisions all of the time, and must be ready to make one at any time.

So how does the leader make the best decisions when one has to be made? Before making the decision, the leader’s primary task, is to determine that one has to be made. You must:

• 1. Define the reality.
• 2. Identify the alternatives.
• 3. Apply analysis.

Leadership with conviction applies the test of belief and conviction at each stage, asking questions that frame the organisations deepest commitments. This analysis must be rigorous, explicit and open. If the option violates conviction, it must be cast aside, no matter the cost.

• 4. Pause for reflection; a mental action.
• 5. Make the decision and make it count.
• 6. Review and learn.

This is leadership in action.

Leaders with conviction are resolute, courageous, and steadfast, making intuition their great friend.