One of the most significant deficiencies of far too many people in leadership positions is their lack of ability and professional training in critical decision-making. Leadership decision-making is a complex yet necessary component of becoming an efficient leader. Yet, the vast bulk of those holding crucial leadership positions become easily bewildered by simply being put into a situation where they need to make a choice. This often creates either procrastination or flawed/ unfinished decisions being made. I believe in the popular saying, ” Every decision you make – every decision – is not a decision about what you do. It’s a decision about Who You Are.”
True leadership is dependent on overall foolproof and comprehensive leadership training. Only when an individual feels positively comfortable with all leadership aspects can he conveniently make decisions. Leaders recognize the need to make a choice, how to go about the decision-making process, how to distinguish meaningful mentors and advisers, etc. They also realize that it is necessary for a leader not merely to use that training as a somewhat vague, required exercise, but rather to take it to heart and use the experience and training actually to translate and learn that training to knowledge. They then must utilize that knowledge to essential experiences to gain expertise and become smart leaders.
This is not an overnight process. This is why it is crucial for companies to focus on enlightening their leaders. Training and experience, when mixed together, create efficiency in decision-making.
Leadership training must start by having a plan in place to look out for future leaders, nurture them, identify them, motivate and interest them to stay involved, bring them along, and desire more involvement and responsibility. For this to be effective, it must be a continuous process in the long term and must be organized outside of the organization’s political arena, with religious consistency. It must also have multiple phases and stages, first identify leaders and do preparatory training, and build upon that with fundamental training, followed by a standard training program, then a high-level one. Even the most leading echelon of leadership must continue to be trained, so that elite leaders’ responsibilities and decisions become practically reflexive. Firms that commit to this always are the best and most efficient and consistent.
Those in leadership positions must always be conscious that others are continually watching them. People look to their administrators to set an example and lead the way for others to follow. How and why decisions are made, show those spectators what kind of individual you are as a leader.
