Ready – Shoot – Aim! Unfortunately that can be my decision-making process. On the other end of the spectrum are leaders who tend to be Ready – Aim – Aim – Aim….

Both styles can be problematic. One causes a lot of starting and a lot of stopping to happen. The other causes nothing to happen.

I may be tipping my hand and giving everyone an insight into my personality, but I also know I speak for a lot of people who are waiting on their leaders, when I say, “Pull the dang trigger!” 

Pull The Dang Trigger!

Pull The Dang Trigger!

Ready – Shoot – Aim… Is Not The Way

Ready – Shoot – Aim is definitely in my comfort zone. I am a big picture person by nature. I have been known to chase an idea well down the road before realizing I made a brash decision.

After some mistakes, big and small, I have learned to slow things down. I still like to move fast, but I also know that taking some time to gather input from a few trusted people can keep me from pursuing an idea too far.

King Solomon advised his son:

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12: 15

I have learned to ask for advice from both the stakeholders and others I trust. Who could be those advisors?

  • A wise and trusted peer.
  • A mentor who is where I would like to be in life.
  • A superior who I trust to coach me versus telling me what to do.
  • An employee who I trust has no agenda.
  • Someone outside my organization that does not suffer from the group think within the organization.

When I speak to them, I educate them on the situation and the options I see at my disposal. I often get asked the questions I have not thought of and am told some things that I do not want to hear. That is why these are trusted advisors.

But, once I have spoken to those I trust and I have an 80% solution, it is time to make a decision. It is time to implement the new plan or stick with the old one.

The ideal decision making scenario is Ready – Aim – Shoot. I am the leader. People are waiting on my decision. I must Pull The Dang Trigger.

Ready – Aim – Aim – Aim … Is Not The Way

Nothing can frustrate me more than leaders who put off making decisions. Incessant meetings, requests for more information, and formation of sub-committees to “evaluate all our options” always irk me.

We have all heard that perception is reality. For those who are exceedingly slow to make decisions you need to understand what perceptions you create through the caution you demonstrate. In a nutshell people see fear and/or pride getting in your way.

Whether this is true of the leader or not, your superiors, your peers and your subordinates believe you are scared to make a mistake or you are too proud to allow yourself to make one.

I am not saying that no decision is the wrong decision. At times, not making a decision is the right move. The current path may be the best path.

However, when the leader keeps everyone around them studying, discussing and collecting data on something the leader is not going to make a decision on, that leader loses the trust of others.

Most people would prefer to hear that no decision is imminent so they can focus on other projects and priorities. An undeclared “no decision” keeps everyone guessing and waiting.

When a leader consistently waits for the perfect answer, this is called indecisiveness. An indecisive leader is rarely a trusted leader.

The Bottom Line:

Brash quick decisions are not the way. Slow moving non-decisions are not the way either.

There are no guarantees or sure things as a leader. At a certain point, a decision must be made. The leader who is consistently unwilling to Pull The Dang Trigger, will create a culture of indecisiveness and distrust on their team.

A leader who creates a perception that they are thoughtless decision makers will lose the trust of the people.

A leader who creates a perception that they are too scared or too proud to make a decision, will lose the trust of the people as well.

If you are a Ready – Shoot – Aim leader, remember:

YOU NEED TO FIND WISE ADVISORS.

If you are a Ready – Aim – Aim – Aim leader, remember:

YOU NEED TO QUIT GETTING ADVICE AND MAKE A DECISION.

Question:

Which do you need to get better at doing? Getting advice or making timely decisions?