When it comes to making decisions that take you out of your comfort zone, it can really be emotionally trying. As a manager of people and processes tough decisions are a requirement of the role.
The only way around those decisions is to be untrue to your beliefs. And that’s an approach you most likely want to avoid. Your conscience is bound to eat away at you if you go that route. Simply ignoring the decision is often abdicating the responsibility that the decision requires.
Instead, try this process to help you make those tough decisions with confidence:
1. Weigh the alternative. When a tough decision looms overhead, you know there’s always an alternative. It’s probably easier to go with that alternative, and save yourself the stress. But at what cost? What is the cost to your team? What is the cost to the business?
- If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll realize that the tough decision may be the best decision from a moral standpoint. It’s hard to go wrong when you go the moral route!
- Many decisions will not have the benefit of hindsight, and you can’t predict how certain decisions will weigh on you in the future. Reach out to someone who’s been faced with a similar decision and ask for their insight. While someone else can’t make the decision for you, they may have wisdom that can provide a different perspective.
2. Consider the outcome. Usually, it is the most difficult decisions work out for the better in the end. But what you’re worried about is those who may not be pleased with the decision. The toss up is between two glaring options. Do you continue in a less than favorable situation? Or do you decide to make a change for the better?
- A great way to justify making a hard decision is to look at the outcome. Do you see yourself, those around you, or your reports in a more positive situation after you make this decision? Can you envision life for you and your team being less stressful?
- Always remember what you’re trying to achieve for yourself, your team, and for the business. Make your decisions based on your vision for what you are trying to create, whether big or small. Avoid living according to the goals of others if you want to be truly happy.
3. Limit the advice you take. In some scenarios, advice is very helpful. However, in others, it can easily cloud your judgment. When making a tough decision, go with your gut. It’s usually correct if you’re aligned with your conscience!
- When you start to hear several different opinions, you can get confused. Of course, you can be courteous to everyone offering their suggestion. You may want to respectfully listen to everybody who’s trying to help. But listen with one ear! Ultimately the responsibility of the decision falls on the role of being the manager.
- It’s possible to hear the advice and not take it to heart. It’s also possible to weigh everybody’s feedback and filter the ones that aren’t helpful.
4. Think outside your comfort zone. Remember that life in general tends to be uncomfortable. While you would prefer otherwise, it’s a reality you just sometimes have to face. When you prime your mind to think of discomfort as the norm, those tough decisions become easier.
- Nobody likes to be uncomfortable, especially for extended periods. But that’s what you’ll be if you avoid making the tough decision when it’s necessary for your well-being.
- If you know something is right, aim to block out all the noise and listen to your conscience.
- You may end up losing friends for the decision. But you may gain so much more as a result, too. Consider peace of mind, a clear conscience and genuine happiness. These can all be yours when you decide to do what’s truly best for you, your team, and the business.
So focus on the task at hand, and what accomplishing it can help you achieve and move those you lead closer to the stated vision. If the end result of your decision betters the situation and supports the goals and vision, then you can be confident that you’ve made a wise decision – even if it was tough.
Catalyst Consulting 