Below is one of my regular columns in The Globe and Mail – that I wrote almost ten years ago! The subject of making decisions and taking action came up in one of my one-on-one mentoring conversations with a client just last week. It prompted me to pull it out and dust it off, and it’s just as relevant today as it was then.
Making decisions IS a leader’s job
Its basic premise is “Don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness”. Far too many managers, particularly those who are new to their roles, have a tendency to be indecisive, usually under the pretext of seeking better information or conducting a sound analysis. But if you put off making decisions and taking action, ultimately you will become a victim of the situation. A better alternative is to get into the driver’s seat and at least attempt to influence the outcome. And if you have to “ask” for forgiveness for what turns out to be, in hindsight, a poor course of action, I show you how to do it. And guess what? The word “sorry” doesn’t come up even once!
Take a read through: Leaders: Get rid of the ‘Mother may I?’ mindset
I’d love your thoughts. Do you agree? Or not? Please add your comments below.
Merge’s leadership development consultancy has one singular focus – to turn managers into leaders; to help great people become exceptional leaders so that they can turn their people power into real and tangible results. Through her speaking, training, consulting, mentoring and facilitation services, Merge helps leaders in organizations create high-performing workplaces.
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