Decision-Making in Business
As someone who is currently running a business, I have continued to realize not only the importance of each decision I make but also the value in having the right approach / process when it comes to making decisions…whether they seem like big decisions or small ones.
People who step into a leadership role or into a role with increased responsibility often use the phrase “drinking from a fire hose” when talking with others about all they are taking in and learning as a decision-maker in this new position. While I understand the sentiment (and I am sure I have used this phrase myself more than once), I think something that we do not pay enough attention to is the approach we have to making decisions when we find ourselves in a position of leadership.
As a business owner, there are a couple specific things that I have found to be particularly helpful when making business decisions:
Patience. As an entrepreneur this can be especially difficult. It is easy to get excited about something and jump in head first, and ask questions later. After all, taking a leap like this is likely how we got to where we are today. However, over the last few years as the Lord has helped me grow in patience, and because of that I have looked back many times and been thankful that I did not rush to a decision too quickly. Take your time, pray about it, don’t rush. I believe it will serve you well, and you will end up with less regret later on down the road.
Seek Guidance. It can be easy as the leader of your business / organization to assume you know what the best/right decision is at any any given point. But when you find yourself at the crossroads, go to a couple people or mentors you respect and get their take on it. This takes humility and vulnerability, but once again I believe it will give you more confidence that you made the correct decision in the long run. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Ask Yourself what Your Motives Are. This is something that can be exposing. I know it has been at times for me. But if I am honest with myself, it can help me get to the bottom of my “why” behind the decision. Sometimes it has led me to doing the opposite of what I expected because I realized I had the wrong motives.
Years down the road when I look back on the decisions I have made as a business leader, I am sure I will have some regrets but my hope and prayer is that there would be overwhelmingly more times that I can remember following WISDOM as my guide. If we put these things into practice, I think we will have more joy and contentment as leaders who made the right decision more often that not.