Sometimes, you have to make tough decisions. Even though you may want to hold off telling a client their request is tricky or their rush order won’t arrive in time, putting off those conversations won’t make the situation any easier. In fact, it usually makes things worse.
Jay Desko, PhD, president and CEO of The Center Consulting Group, says even celebrities sometimes struggle with tough decisions. Just take Taylor Swift, for example. Rather than pare down her wedding list, she invited practically everyone she knew.
That may have worked for a celebrity wedding, but avoiding tough decisions at work typically doesn’t work as well. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Dr. Desko’s thoughts on some decisions you shouldn’t delay any longer.
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Hiring. If you constantly second-guess yourself when making hiring decisions, you may miss out on great talent. You may also lose top performers if you’re not confident about creating new positions for them. Dr. Desko says it’s important to be willing to make hard decisions fast. If you see unique talent or potential, hire those people so they don’t go elsewhere.
Firing. On the flip side, don’t hesitate to cut ties with people who continually don’t live up to expectations or demoralize the rest of your team. Firing is painful, he says, but it’s a responsibility that comes with leadership.
Promoting. It can be difficult choosing to promote someone over someone else. But this is a common dilemma in workplaces and beyond. Just think about the World Cup. For every athlete chosen to play on a team, hundreds were passed over, Dr. Desko points out.
Selling. If you own your business, deciding to sell is sometimes even harder than starting a business. Dr. Desko says professional counsel can help owners address the obstacles and make the process more manageable. But if you’re thinking about selling, remember that procrastination probably won’t make it any easier in the future.
Succession planning. Dr. Desko gets it: Passing the baton is anything but easy. But waiting until the last minute can leave your team scrambling and create unnecessary stress. It’s better to be proactive about developing future leaders rather than leaving the situation to chance.
Putting off a major decision may feel comfortable in the moment. Over time, though, it can cost you opportunities. The leaders who make the biggest impact aren’t the ones who avoid uncomfortable choices — they’re the ones who know when it’s time to stop mulling it over and decide.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Jay Desko, PhD is president and CEO of The Center Consulting Group.
