The choice is yours – or is it? Tactics for making difficult decisions

Consider who should make the decision - can it be delegated to build ownership and autonomy while freeing up your time?

When facing tight timelines, push back to get more breathing room rather than rushing decisions

Build buy-in through transparency and clear communication about decisions, including documenting rationale and anticipated questions

Watch for red flags that indicate need for organizational changes:

• Teams rewriting similar documents repeatedly
• Support channels being closed off
• Teams becoming overwhelmed with support requests
• Incorrect use of technical terminology

Create a formal decision-making process for important choices, especially for cross-functional decisions

Consider starting with simpler solutions before jumping to complex ones, particularly with technical implementations

Balance trade-offs between speed and buy-in - faster decisions mean less alignment but quicker progress

Be willing to roll back decisions when needed - changing course demonstrates effective leadership

Define clear metrics for success and set timeboxed investments for new initiatives

Cultivate a network of experts across disciplines to consult before making major decisions

Make decisions that reflect and reinforce desired team culture and values, especially around staffing and promotions

Document and communicate decisions clearly, including rationale and FAQs to address concerns proactively