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Effective leaders make good decisions for their teams

Think about an effective leader you know. Ask yourself a question. Did she make good decisions for your team? The answer is yes. Strong leaders do. Now, think about an ineffective leader. Someone you did not enjoy following. Ask yourself the same question. Did he make good decisions for his team? Your answer probably changed to no. It is difficult to follow someone who makes poor choices.

Effective leaders make good decisions.

Making decisions is a constant leadership challenge

All leaders make decisions. It is a harsh reality that leaders face. The decisions you make range from big strategic ones to smaller tactical ones. Some are easy, and many are tough. Several may be simple, while others are complex. The best leaders I worked for made good decisions of all types on a regular basis. Sure – you can delay, or avoid making choices. Ineffective leaders use this approach, putting the destiny of their team into the hands of others. Don’t be that kind of leader. Be an effective leader who knows how to make good decisions.

Some decisions you make will be tough ones.

Many teams struggle to make a good decision

It is probably best if I describe what comprises a good decision. The definition for me is simple. A good decision is one that is informed, timely, and the best path forward. An informed decision is one that includes the right amount of voices, data, analysis, opinions, etc., before it is made. Making all your decisions based purely on your own experience, expertise, and perspective can result in disaster. A timely decision means that the people responsible for implementing it have enough time for successful execution. Late decisions can wreak havoc on a team, and hasty ones are equally dangerous. The best path forward speaks for itself. Pick the best option.

Leaders are expected to make decisions

I remain amazed by how many people seek leadership positions and hate making decisions. They think decisions can be ignored, delegated to others, or made through a random process like shaking the Magic 8-Ball. The reality is that all leaders are expected to make a decision. Otherwise, why are you in the position? If you do not like calling the ball, do not become a leader. Do all of us a favor and stay a follower or an individual contributor. All teams deserve a leader who is willing to step up to the plate and make decisions. Go ahead and swing the bat.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

President Theodore Roosevelt

Strong execution will not make up for a really bad decision

My last point may not sit well with some. I believe that strong execution will not make up for a really bad decision. Some leaders will agree and say it is obvious. Others will argue that a great team can thrive despite the bad decision of its leader. I don’t agree. Too many times, I have witnessed strong and well-intentioned teams tell themselves, “We got this,” despite a really bad decision from their leader. The leader’s role is to set the team up for success by making good decisions. Do not put them behind the eight ball and expect them to make up for it with strong execution. Don’t be that kind of leader. Position your team for the win. They will thank you later for it.

Your team may not be able to overcome a bad decision.

What about you?

Are you making good decisions? Do you know how to make a decision that is timely, informed, and the best path forward? If not, don’t worry – All The Way Leadership! is here to help. The next series of blog posts will focus on making good decisions.

Bad decisions make you a weak leader, not a bad person.

ATW! is designed to make you a better leader

I hope you join me on this journey to raise the next generation of leaders. The world is in desperate need of more great leaders. Women and men who lead with confidence, clarity, and creativity. It’s time to become the leader that your world needs. Let’s go All The Way!

All The Way Leadership!

A special Veterans Day tribute to the best leader I ever knew

I looked over at my dad to check on him and noticed he was crying. It is not often that my father was moved to tears. He usually did not cry on veterans day. My dad, my sons called him Opa, was one of the toughest people I ever knew. He had a big heart. He cried when family members pass away. My dad almost cried when the Nationals won the world series. I have to confess that I was close to tears as well that day.

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My dad in front of the WWII memorial in Washington DC.

Veteran’s Day 2017 was a special one

My brother and I had the privilege of escorting my dad to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Opa participated in a ceremony with his 1956 West Point classmates. Each year those who are still here gather at the wall to honor one of their classmates who perished during the war. They read the names of the fallen, share the story of one in detail, and then walk down to where the name of that person is etched on the wall to place a wreath.

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My father in front of the Vietnam War memorial.

Family members of the fallen participate

It is a simple ceremony – nothing fancy. No long speeches, no politicians, no fanfare. Just a small group of veterans honoring one of their own. It was one of the most powerful Veteran’s Day events I have ever witnessed. I can understand why my dad cried during the ceremony. I teared up more than once while there. Below are some pictures from that special day.

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Kicking off the informal ceremony for the USMA class of 1956.

Visiting the wall is difficult for many veterans like my dad

I am really glad that Opa was brave and decided to participate in the ceremony. He usually didn’t. My dad is a Vietnam veteran. He served three tough tours there. He lost a lot of friends in the war. Visiting the wall was a draining event for him. It was an emotional one. The wall reminded him of the war, battles fought, lives lost, and the complicated aftermath.

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My brother and Dad read names on the wall.

Many veterans thrived after Vietnam

Fortunately, my father was able to return to the states and live a healthy and productive life after the war. My brother and I are the direct beneficiaries of my dad’s ability to put the war behind him and fulfill the American dream – to provide for your children so that they have an even better life than the one you lived. I have the same dream for my children and will do all that I can to make that happen. I want them to have a better life than mine. The reason veterans fight is for a better tomorrow.

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Several of my dad’s classmates went on to be generals.

Veteran’s Day is for telling stories

My dad was a generous person and was always willing to help others in need. I experienced this first hand as his son and witnessed it as he interacted with others. I saw another example of it during this ceremony. After we walked down to the wall Opa called over one of the family members who attended. He was the grown son of a fallen classmate. He is probably my age, or maybe even a little bit older. My dad let this family member know that he was good friends with his father many years ago. Opa shared a funny story that the man had never heard before.

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Veteran’s catching up and telling stories.

Veteran’s know stories that family members need to hear

Dad proceeded to tell this son of his fallen classmate about his father. What his dad was like as a man. How he was a strong, smart, and brave soldier. Opa thought the world of his classmate and was very sad when he learned about the untimely death of his good friend. My father was emotional – his eyes welled up with tears. Fond memories mixed with painful blasts from the past. It was a difficult thing for my dad to do, but he did it anyway. Opa gave this man a special gift that morning. The gift of knowing that his own dad was a great soldier. Afterward, the man thanked Opa for his service, and more importantly for letting him know about his father.

Opa talking to son of fallen classmate
Opa telling a story to the son of a fallen classmate – the gift of memories.

Thank you to all veterans

It is impossible to calculate the toll war takes on a nation, especially its veterans. So it is important that we honor those who have served. The brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. They deserve our respect and gratitude. My father is from a generation that fought an unpopular war, in an unknown part of the world, for reasons that are still somewhat of a mystery to this day. It was tough, but he and his generation did their part.

From this day to the end of time, without our being remembered: we few, we happy few, we band of brothers—for whoever sheds his blood with me today shall be my brother. However humble his birth, this day shall grant him nobility.

Henry V by William Shakespeare

Today’s veterans deserve our thanks

Nowadays our country remains entangled in a long war that has cost our nation dearly. Today’s veterans face many of the same challenges that my dad and his classmates did many years ago. One day many years from now they too will gather together and talk about the wars they fought. As for you – do your part. If you see any veterans – thank them for their service. They deserve it, just like my dad.

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More stories about fellow veterans.

ATW! is designed to make you a better leader

I hope you join me on this journey to raise up the next generation of leaders. The world is in desperate need of more great leaders. Women and men who lead with confidence, clarity, and creativity. It’s time to become the leader that your world needs. Let’s go All The Way!

All The Way Leadership!