Page 174 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

You Are Decisive • 155

What Does Being Decisive Mean? What Does

It Look Like?

It’s up to you to seek it out, and when you do (because it is your choice), you

■ Think; then act.
■ Take the lead; take the charge.
■ Make up your mind.
■ Focus and set a goal/objective.
■ Are quick on your feet versus sluggish to move.
■ Get others on board.
■ Develop judgment.

Decide to Decide; Then Do It

Look at where you are and where you want to go. A well-defined prob-
lem that is communicated in a ruthlessly simple manner is a problem
half-solved. Think about how to get there, start to go toward it, and peri-
odically check your progress.
Think independently, but ask questions of others. Get and review
the cold, hard facts. Gather as much information as possible talking to
constituents, contacts, and mentors; do research and read. (If you have a
broad network of contacts, a pool of mentors, and a diverse team around
you, you’ll get different input from which to make your choice.)
Consider the pros and cons, plusses and minuses, strengths and
weaknesses, and opportunities and threats. Look at the situation from
the perspective of all constituents involved, both inside and outside the
company—customers, vendors, management, plant, administrative, human
resources, financiers, distributors, competitors, etc.—and determine how
it will affect them. Brainstorm with people connected and talk to people
not connected or related to the situation (bartenders and hairdressers are
used traditionally). Think of an analogy that is similar to your situation
(e.g., a hospital marketing guru studied how airlines fill seats to come up
with a new idea about how to fill hospital beds because both have fixed
areas to serve customers).