Leadership Skills: Decisiveness

“Procrastination in the name of reducing risk actually increases risk.” – Colin Powell

I work with many leaders in several countries and in many cultures. There are many things that good leaders have in common. One of the top skills is the ability to make a decision. Decisive leaders create decisive teams.

In past years, I have worked in organizations that utilized the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. We learned enough to be dangerous because we were not able to dedicate enough time to learning effective application of what we had learned about ourselves. Having said this, I was serious about learning more about this instrument and how I function.

My type was ENFJ. The “J” part of this gave me insights on decision making. My type was “Judging.” This meant that once I made a decision, my stress level went down. The other type in this section, is “P” or “Perceiving.” That type was stressed when making a decision. The J got information and made a decision. The P wanted more information. I also learned the liability of each style. The J could make a decision too fast without the necessary information. The P could wait too long in gathering more information and the opportunity could pass without making the decision.

High-functioning teams depend on leaders being able to make effective decisions in a timely manner. Having J and P types working together in making decisions can bring balance to decision making…only if there is a clear line of authority, trusted relationships, and a top leader willing to move to the decision.

When interviewing potential clients, I observe their ability to make decisions. If they can’t make decisions in a timely manner, I know that they are most likely not a good fit to work with me.

When Andrew Carnegie was interviewed by Napoleon Hill, Carnegie made an offer to Hill while holding a stop watch behind the desk. There was a very limited time for Hill to respond. Hill responded promptly with enthusiasm, and Carnegie then was willing to introduce him to the most successful and influential leaders of that era. The results of Hill’s interviews with these great leaders were the basis of his “Laws of Success” and the content for his famous book, Think and Grow Rich. The book, by the way, is really not about money. Money is a result of success and, according to Hill, less valuable than the other 12 attributes of true wealth.

Accepting a leadership role means accepting the role of the decisive leader.