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Decisions are a vital part of living a life of purpose, but how do we press beyond the though stuff and make good decisions that will keep us, our organizations, and those we love and lead on track. How do we make good decisions? How do we weigh all the factors in decision-making?
In Part Two of Six Keys for Making Awesome Life Decisions of the Calibrate Life Podcast, David and Donna continue the discussion of six keys for effective decision-making. This discussion draws from many years of ministry experience, some of the difficulties we’ve faced, and how those things are related to exercising wisdom and incorporating godly counsel in taking decisive actions and calculated and God-honoring risks.
For a time stamped outline, episode notes, and other practical resources, continue reading…
Six Keys to Making Awesome Life and Leadership Decisions – Part 2
The visions and dreams inside us require the making of right life and leadership decisions.
[1:00] Review of Part One in Episode 017 of the Calibrate Life Podcast
#1 First, understand the problem or situation.
#2 Second, evaluate the “type” of issue or the category of the issue.
#3 Third, understand what you must accomplish through the decision and why you need to accomplish the goal.
We would like to give you a 23 page eBook entitled Decide: 6 Keys to Making Great Leadership Decisions [2:18]
Receive this Free 23 Page eBook that will help you make better decisions and teach those you love and lead to make better decisions. In this eBook you will find…
… The complete information contained in episodes 017 and 018
… decision-making pointers and resources that go beyond the podcast episodes
… small group, coaching, and discussion questions and action plans related to making good decisions.
If you are a subscriber to the Calibrate360 Weekly Resource Update, look for the link to this eBook in the next two newsletters. If you would like to subscribe we will send you this PDF eBook.
Subscribers to the Calibrate360 Weekly Resource Update will receive a link (in the Resource Update) for a valuable 23 page eBook in PDF format that contain not only the information included in this podcast, but includes information, pointers and valuable information in printed form
#4 The Fourth Key in Effective Decision-Making is a Focus on what is Right and not what is Popular. [3:12]
This is tough. Most leaders are people pleasers by nature because they care about people. But when God has called us to a place of leadership the right thing (i.e. the thing that God is directing through his Word, wisdom, and revelation) is more important than that which is acceptable to the greatest number of people.
Recommended Book mentioned at [3:50]
This book is about the characteristics of “breakout” leaders. We reference the statement that breakout leaders tend to desire to please people, because the care about people, but the still do the right thing.
What is the difference between a good compromise and a bad compromise? [9:00]
#5 The Fifth Key is Taking Action. [11:00]
[shareable]A decision is not a decision unless you take action. #Calibrate360[/shareable]
Identify and articulate the following [15:30]
- What actions must be taken as a result of this decision?
- When will each action be carried out?
- Who will execute each action? Are those responsible for execution capable of execution?
- How will the decision be communicated? Who will communicate the decision? Who needs to know? Not communicating a decision has the same net effect as not making a decision.
[callout]“In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt[/callout] [14:30]
If you make a decision and do not communicate it… it is not a decision. [17:30]
#6 The Sixth Key in Decision-Making is Evaluation. [19:50]
[shareable]Deciding to do something someday … is not a decision.[/shareable]
Are course adjustments necessary because of changed circumstances? Is this proving to be the right decision?
Direction reversal on any decision is embarrassing to a leader but it is better to admit what everyone else already knows—that you’re wrong—and chart out a workable course.
[shareable]When we are wrong it is better to admit what everyone else already knows.[/shareable]
Discussion Questions
- Can you think of a time when you had to make right compromises in order to obtain the minimum objectives of a decision?
- How can we identify the minimum objectives?
- How might you become comfortable at making decisions with less analysis? How do you determine when you have enough information to make a decision and when you need more information?
- What other critical components would you add to the six listed above?
