A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week. —George S. Patton.
“Indecisive leader” is an oxymoron.
1. Make decisions in spite of fear.
I call that “squirrel theology” because it reminds me of the squirrel that runs in the road in front of your car. The fear of your car bearing down on the squirrel causes them to run one way, then another, and then another, all in the middle of the street, until you hear a bump, bump. Ouch. Indecision caused by fear will get you killed.
Dorothy Bernard says that courage is just fear that has said its prayers.
2. It is okay to be passively active; deciding to wait is a decision.
Sometimes we decide to not decide until we practice number 3
3. Take time equal to the size of the decision; a big decision equals longer time.
Another practice that causes us to make decisions and make good decisions is taking time proportionate to the size of the decision. Big decisions should take big time and little decisions should be done instantly. The more money involved the more you should slow down. The more time involved because of the decision, the more you should slow down. The more people are involved the more you should slow down.
4. Set a self-imposed calendar deadline if a natural one doesn’t exist.
5. Gather options and more options.
6. He with the most information makes the best decisions.
Ninety percent of making the right decision is the gathering of information. The bigger the decision, the more time you take, the more options you gather, and the more informed you should become. Such as “Or should a marry this man or woman?” or “Where do I go for seminary?” or “Should I take this church?”
7. Clearly state your values and make decisions that match.
A simple principle we use is to ask if, when making this decision, the move causes you to lie or hide the truth (which is a type of lying). Another example of a guiding value might be the Golden Rule—the real Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
8. Break the decision into smaller bites.
Sometimes the decision you are making is just too large; it is overwhelming. The reason
you are overwhelmed might be simple: the decision is too big based on the facts you have. We often figure out a way to make a series of smaller decisions to point us in the right direction of the overall decision. If you have six options to your decision that may be too many; narrow it down to the three best.
9. Determine the financial implications of the decision.
One, we can’t borrow money to fund the idea. Two, if it fails it can’t be fatal, meaning if our decision is faulty it can’t have the possible consequence of closing us down.
10. Ask real experts with the heart of a teacher.
11. Seek the counsel of your spouse.
12. Write yourself a report if all else fails.
The reason is simple: when you force your thought process through another layer and verbalize your thoughts, you reach a higher level of understanding.
Dave Ramsey. EntreLeadership (Kindle Locations 1388-1389). Howard Books.