Difficult Decisions

     This is a topic that is not discussed often, yet, every leader will be faced with having to make difficult decisions. Difficult decisions can vary widely. They may include whether you give someone a straightforward performance evaluation or tell them what they want to hear, selecting who you promote out of a group of qualified employees, do you go to your bosses boss regarding something about your boss, holding your employees accountable when they don’t perform or misbehave, or whether you terminate an employee. The list of difficult decisions that leaders are faced with on a daily basis could go on for many pages. The reality is that difficult decisions have to be made regularly. There is no way that if you are in a leadership position now, or plan on being in one soon – you will not be faced with difficult decisions. So the questions is – are you in or out?     
     Let me be very clear. I do not prefer to be in a position where I have to make a difficult decision. I manage with all my ability to be pro-active and thorough so that I can avoid difficult decisions as often as possible. Unfortunately, the reality is that no matter how hard you try, you will be faced with them. Asking yourself now whether you have the ability or even desire to be in situations where hard decisions have to be made is critical. The answer to this question will impact your success. Giving this question serious thought may determine that you should not be in a leadership role and as a result you may have a long successful career in the position you are in now. On the other hand, if you don’t give this serious consideration and you eagerly accept a promotion into a leadership role and you find yourself not being able to execute difficult decisions, you may find yourself out of a job. I have seen examples where managers allowed inappropriate behavior to impact their department and ultimately them by not making the tough decision to act and hold the employee accountable. I have seen managers not terminate an employee when it clearly constituted termination which resulted in additional problems and reduced production - eventually leading to their termination. There is example after example like this. So if you are hoping to be a leader or are one now you have to ask yourself - will I be able to make these decisions? So why is it that we as leaders shy away from making these difficult decisions?
     We shy away from making difficult decisions because difficult decisions are exactly that – difficult. I can speak for myself; there have been times where a decision has kept me up at night. A decision has caused me to consider the variables in my mind over and over again searching for the right outcome. Decisions have overwhelmed me with emotion from sadness to compassion. There are times we shy away from making those difficult decisions because we realize the decision will not only impact someone directly, but it will also impact their family. It is not easy to have to make these types of decisions. Unfortunately, making these types of decisions is what leaders are in position to do. They will never be easy, and they will never get easier. But there are things you can do.
     For starters, you have to be consistent. You have to be consistent with your decisions knowing that each decision you make will be precedent for the next. You have to be consistent with your core principles. It is imperative that your core principles are not compromised. Standing on your core principles no matter how difficult the decision may be is what equates to integrity and character of a leader. Once you have mastered being consistent you have to have compassion. There is no situation where arrogance or simple lack of compassion is acceptable. As leaders we have to understand that we are dealing with people who deserve your support even in the worst of times. Just because as leaders we were put into a situation where a tough decision has to be made because of a mistake, lapse of judgment, burst of misbehavior, etc., does not provide an opportunity for us to act inappropriately. We have to extend ourselves to help those individuals grow and learn from their mistakes. As leaders we have to do our best to exude compassion knowing that our decision can extend to the individuals family and may impact their lives as well.
     It is not easy being a leader. Difficult decisions will be made. People will be hurt. But with love and compassion through the difficult times, lessons will be learned, opportunities will arise, and improvements will be made personally and operationally. And when this type of improvement occurs, you realize, that as difficult as being a leader is - it is also as equally rewarding.