You make a decision and wonder if it was the correct one. You discuss a problem at work and in the middle of the night you have a dream that took a different turn. You spiral down the vortex into the way a parent meeting progressed. Could you have done something differently?
If any of these sound like you, welcome to the tribe. Self doubt and second guessing isn't for the weak of heart, as leaders regularly reflect, check, recheck, and perseverate.
The process of decision making isn't always about the right option. Sometimes it is about timing. Those around you need you to decide now, or the impending deadline doesn't allow any additional processing and research time. After further reflection, you may find that additional information beyond the initial timeline may have resulted in a different outcome, but that's okay - that additional information can help you better inform decisions in the future.
At the end of the day, whether after instantaneous or lengthy time constraints, organizations need decisions made. In their absence, staff spin out of control, activities slow down or come to a screeching halt, credibility is questioned, and the lack of decisions can impact credibility.
Our best is what we did with the information at hand when the decision needed to be made. And quite honestly, that has an awful lot to do with the gathering of data, the input from others, and the reliance on what has been shared.
The strongest leaders I know question, second guess, reflect.
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