
Do you make decisions that you later regret? Yes, we all have. However, in a leadership role, it is crucial you make decisions that are profitable and not regrettable. Regrettable decisions are costly which can have great impact in your relationships, your well being, and sometimes your finances. As a small business owner, poor decision making can impact your product/service offerings potentially losing current and future clients. Are poor decisions worth such anguish?
Decision making is forming an opinion through careful testing of assumptions and facts. Therefore, when making a decision, it is important to consider 4 key actions:
Step 1: Identify issues, problems and opportunities. As a leader, it is important to recognize all of the issues, problems, and potential opportunities you are faced with when making a decision. The sons of Issachar “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” in I Chronicles 12:32.
Step 2: Gather data. Research your potential opportunities based on the facts and not your WISH list. Ponder Proverbs 1:1-7, specifically verse 7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline”. Gain the knowledge and the wisdom of God to know how to proceed.
Step 3: Consider the consequences. Usually, when faced with making a decision, we only think about our desired outcome and not the possible pitfalls. Eliminating this step usually leads to regret. Always seek counsel and input from those who you respect and admire. Proverbs 15:22 states “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Step 4: Commit to action. Sometimes, as leaders, we make finally make a decision, but we do not follow through or we implement the decision too late. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your pans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3.
Now, identify a current and crucial situation that requires a decision. How do you make the decision? Do you make the decision the regrettable way or do you learn to incorporate new decision making skills?
Copyright © 2009 Poimena Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.
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This article was published on Gospel Today online in October 2009.
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