Three things that can help you make the best decision

Several recent conversations have reinforced the belief that if you try and make everyone happy, you end up making nobody happy. Two people can agree to disagree on a topic, yet still move the business forward. This doesn’t mean you bulldoze your way to an opinion without vetting, but rather you make decisions based on the facts you have that are in line with the vision and ethos of the company

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Do your research

It is important to do your research before making a decision. Analyzing the numbers, speaking with constituents, and getting advice from trusted sources are all ways to make sure you understand the problem. Further, make sure you see how your strategy and core values align with the decision.

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See both sides

As I have written before, the truth is always somewhere in the middle. There will be two sides to every decision - make sure you understand both of those perspectives. This will allow you to uncover the potential challenges you might encounter and better position your decision to have the best outcome. Perspective can really enhance your decision-making.

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Make your decision

Most decisions are gray. Risk is inherent; for some decisions, you may optimize for the upside, some you may want to minimize downside risk. But at some point, you need to make the decision and move forward. Trying to get a perfect consensus and make a decision that everyone agrees with is next to impossible. Strong leaders are okay with disagreement. In fact, disagreement promotes more diverse viewpoints and can lead to better decisions. Lastly, be able to articulate why you made the decision, why you feel it is the best path forward, and what are the next steps.

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Decision-making is hard. But your approach to decision-making and subsequent communication can help even those who disagree respect your decision and support the path forward.