Page 244 - Fearless Leadership

Aligning Emotionally and Intellectually 231

Accountability
Decision Decision Accountability of Group Alignment
Type Status of Leader Members Needed
Type 1 Decision made Provides context Clarify, and ask Leader requests
by the leader, and includes questions to emotional and
alone. others in why he authentically intellectual
or she made the support the alignment of
decision. decision. group.

Type 2 Decision to be Provides context, Provide critical Leader provides
made by the clarifies problem input, challenge closure on when
leader, following and opportunity, thinking, gener- he or she will
group input. and requests ate ideas, and make the final
and listens to recommend decision.
input from the solutions.
group.
Type 3 Decision to be Provides context, Dialogue, Group members
made by the clarifies problem engage in and team leader
group. The and opportunity, healthy debate, align emotion-
leader suspends and participates and identify best ally and intellec-
veto power and fully as an equal solution. tually.
supports the member of the
group’s decision. group.

EXHIBIT 9-1: Decision Types

Type 1: A Decision Made by the Leader, Alone. Type 1 decisions are
typically context decisions. They define direction and high-level objectives
and establish expectations. In essence, Type 1 decisions provide the con-
text for what you expect people to focus on and how you expect them to
engage. This type of decision defines the parameters and focus of the game.
For example, when you say, “We will be the best in customer service,” you
are making a Type 1 decision and taking a stand. Your decision is not open
to debate; you have declared the context and framework in which the com-
pany will work and align. However, the implementation may require a
Type 3 decision where your team develops and aligns on the plan.
CEOs and business leaders must make many Type 1 decisions. These
decisions are legitimate and necessary and are also empowering and
inspiring when handled effectively. Some leaders argue that decisions