One of the most crucial elements of leadership is the ability to make decisions. The more decision-making power you have is usually a reveal to your authority level. But every organization, business, or church leadership culture must have the capacity to make quick decisions.
There is a verse in the Bible that I think about when I am in the process of making a decisions. Here it is: "The princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak. They followed Barak, rushing into the valley. But in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds—to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? Yes, in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision" (Judges 5:15-16). Imagine being identified as the indecisive group or leader. At some point, leaders have to make decisions.
Let me say something very critical - not making a decision is making a decision! Yes, it's true. If you don't make a decision you are actually making a decision to not make a decision - which is a decision. A trait of the greats is the capacity to make quick decisions.
UNDERSTAND INDECISION KILLS
This is vital to understand, if you can't make a decision you may end of missing out on an opportunity or even worse, create a larger problem. Make a decision. Get input. Process the details. But at some point you have to make a decision.
DON'T CREATE TOO MANY OPTIONS
Early in ministry I would do church surveys. You know what I discovered? If I gave 3 options the survey responses would be split 3 ways. So, I stopped doing surveys. Too many options and people have a hard time choosing any. Figure out your best options and work those.
TRUST YOUR GUT / SPIRIT
The process of decision-making for me begins and ends with God's presence in my life. I am going to trust my "gut" when I am making a decision. To be honest, there are times I violate this and I end up making the wrong decision. I have learned hard lessons over 27 years of leadership that God's presence in my life speaks through my "gut."
THE MORE TIME YOU WASTE THE MORE MONEY IT COSTS
Yep, everyday you waste not making a decision is costing money. Now, obviously some decisions take time to decide, but most decisions will "make sense" more than you think. Make a decision and deal with the results. Because indecision will cost you so much more than money - it may cost you your reputation or influence.
ASK: IS THIS MY DECISION TO MAKE?
Now,, this is important, if you don't have the authority to make the decision then of course you cannot make it. You have to ask yourself, "Do I have the authority to make the decision?" If you do not then do not make the decision. Wait for the right person to step into that decision.
So, if someone is trying to get you to make a decision that you do not have the authority to make, then do not make it!
BE OKAY WITH MAKING SOME POOR DECISIONS
And at some point you will have to be okay making some poor decisions. Every leader will make wrong decisions - that's a fact! I have made bad decisions. But the key is making more wise decisions than foolish ones. Some decisions are just opinions - there is not right or wrong - it's just an opinion.
If have the authority, make a decision. Now, get out there and speed up your decision-making process!