Have you ever felt completely paralyzed by a decision you knew you had to make?

There are some decisions that are relatively easy to make.

What shirt should I wear?
What should I eat for breakfast?

Generally those decisions are largely inconsequential. They mostly impact ourselves and carry very little real risk or lasting repercussions.

Most of us are pretty decisive in those moments.

When decisions become more impactful however, the story changes.

The outcome is uncertain.
The consequences are unknown.

People may disagree.
The stakes feel higher.
So we hesitate.

We search for more information hoping the next scrap of data will suddenly make the decision obvious and risk free.

We worry:

What if I am wrong?
What if people disagree?
What if this decision fails?
What if people lose confidence in me?

Many times it is not the decision itself that paralyzes us.

It is the fear of how we may be perceived if the decision turns out poorly.

The sad truth however is that while we procrastinate, the problem rarely resolves itself.

It simmers below the surface gaining momentum.

One of the more difficult decisions leaders face is knowing when to terminate an employee.

Most leaders wait too long.

We want to be fair.
We want to believe things will improve.
We do not want to hurt someone.
We do not want to feel like the bad guy.

Meanwhile the rest of the team is watching.

Trust slowly erodes.
Standards weaken.
Frustration builds.

Eventually the decision still has to be made.

Inertia is a dangerous thing.

If we make a decision and it turns out to be wrong, we can adjust, recalibrate, and chart a new course.

But when we remain stuck, nothing moves forward.

Momentum matters.

What decisions are causing you angst today?

Make the call.
Build momentum.
Adjust on the fly.

Sometimes all leadership really requires is 20 seconds of courage.