Leadership Requires Owning Decisions

I am fortunate in my work with leaders to be the one listening in the room. I like to understand the issue and then press in with key questions. Coming in a telling a leader what to do is never the goal. I am there to remind, encourage, and allow the leader to recognize and act upon what they probably knew in the first place. 

I know that in the work of leading an organization you have multiple voices coming at you weekly and you will be criticized no matter your action or decision. The point of leadership is to be the voice in the room pushing the group forward to achieve the goal or success desired.

Even in the most harrowing situations, we need a leader to do the right thing; even when it is not clear. Sometimes the right thing is just deciding and turning the page. You will know with time and distance that the decision made was either right or needs another review. Either way, leading doesn't always come with a lit path or a sign over the door indicating this is the way forward.

Take what you know, involve the team when appropriate, and make decisions that honor the goals stated, the mission defined, and the people you are there to serve. You don't get clarity some days and your intuition is the guide to do what is best; trust it and move forward. Not acting is worse than correcting a decision later.

Inaction in leadership is just disguised as desiring 100% team approval, fear of failure, or being tethered to your own self-doubt.  Break the chain by owning your decisions while letting time and space prove your ability to lead well.