Decision making can be stressful and anxiety inducing, but the ability to make decisions quickly is often what separates the most effective leaders from others. We connected with some of the best and brightest do-ers we know and asked them how they developed their decision-making skills.
Adam Barkett
Foremost, I’d like to say thank you for having me and asking this great question. You know, currently we live in the information age and can spend a great amount of time researching things and looking up things – seeking the reviews and comments of experts or verified users, etc. Perhaps you’ve heard of paralysis by analysis.. It is very easy to have your decision-making affected by having such a vast wealth of information. Over time, I’ve collected some notes and quotes related to this whenever I have a decision to make that serve as reminders of which for me to be aware. Read more>>
Tony Pu
To me, making a decision is about understanding the problem from its root, and evaluating the risks and rewards of different options. I’m gonna use an exmaple to illustrate. Nowadays, thanks to the rise of the creator economy, many people around me have consulted me on whether they should become a content creator as well. To make this decision, let’s break it down into the above two aspects. Read more>>
David Zamudio
I’ve always been a very logic-based person. But more than that, I believe I developed my decision-making skills the most from growing up in Venezuela. When my brother and I were young, my mom always felt that the best way to learn about the world was through experiencing it. So we were always allowed to go and explore, to try new things, to interact with the world around us. There was never this fear of the unknown, it was always more an attitude that you don’t know until you try. And Venezuela is complicated. Read more>>
James Grant
Early in my career, I faced a pivotal decision: whether to expand my business into new markets. The potential for growth was enormous, but so were the risks. It required significant investment, not just in financial terms but also in time and resources. I began by thoroughly researching different markets, understanding the competition, and identifying potential challenges. I also sought advice from mentors and industry experts who had experience in expansion. Their insights were invaluable, helping me avoid common pitfalls. Read more>>
Russ Connell
I think one of the hardest parts of being a freelance artist is the choice of making art I truly believe in vs. art to sell. In a perfect world these would be the same thing. Oftentimes I find myself struggling with new designs because the style or direction is untested. It’s easier, safer, and more boring to produce work stylistically similar to previous projects which have sold quickly. Read more>>
Mark Buchwald
I believe that decision-making skills are developed by experience and the thirst for knowledge. I have always been one who enjoys giving instructions and having to make important, quick decisions on the fly as well as delegating. I’ve always been one who wants to go through an experience for the first time. By doing this, you gain experience and are ready to transfer knowledge to others as a servant leader. Read more>>
Lowdy Trail
The way I developed my decision making skills has always been through trial and error. Using what has worked for me in the past and what has not worked for me has helped me to develop better decision making by using every mistake as a learning lesson. No matter how many times I fail I always see the source of the problem and what caused the effect. Read more>>
