DecisionPoints

Complex problems and meaningful endeavors always require difficult decisions. 

The best leaders I know approach decision making with a couple of powerful principles: 

1) If it's important and is truly an emergency, make the decision quickly (to preserve life and property) 

2) If it's important but NOT an emergency, invite diverse viewpoints before making the decision.

Here are some of the practices those wise leaders use in making those difficult decisions:

• They invite dissent and constructive discourse.
• They strive for sound solutions with flexibility built in.
• They encourage innovative, non-conventional thinking.
• They keep the conversation transparent and out in the open.
• They frame the problem as concisely and clearly as possible.
• They honor varying viewpoints with respectful acknowledgement.
• They pose the problem across numerous stakeholders, both allies and non-allies.

Yes. It takes time. Yes. It takes patience. 

Yet, it produces better decisions which result in better outcomes.