The Secrets of Making Great Decisions

by Dr. John C. Maxwell

“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.”  - Peter Drucker

“Whenever you come to a fork in the road, take it.” – Yogi Berra

10 Questions that Sharpen Your Decision-making Skills

1.       What are my options?

• The more options I have the greater possibility for creative solutions.

• The more options I have the more I can see what is not obvious to others

• Options are the result of thinking early, often, and differently

2.       Is this mutually beneficial?

“Don’t drive a bargain so hard that the other person becomes a loser.” – Maxey Jarman

Harvard 30-year study of CEOs, common trait: Altruism.  (I give before I receive…)

    Why strive to make mutually beneficial decisions?

• A personal value of mine is adding value to others.

• Partnership compounds influence, effectiveness, and results

• Relationships are important to me.

3.       What is the risk?

·         Two risk principles to follow:

1. If you can take the worst, take the risk.

2. Know when enough is enough.

4.       Is it timely?

·         People are intuitive in the area of their giftedness.

·         Tips on timing:

• Lead out of your “gift mix.”

• Most timing decisions are late, rather than early. (“If you see a band wagon, it’s too late.”  -Sir James Goldsmith)

• Timing can be developed by practicing disciplined imagination. (Disciplined imagination is taking the present facts and extending them into the future.)

• Practice the “Peak to Peak” principle. (Make the most important decisions at the height of your journey, not at its lowest level.)

5.       Do I have staying power?

·     When we make a decision, we need to follow it through the valleys until we get back to high ground. We need to make sure we have the emotional resolve to carry out our decisions even if they prove harder than we expect.

6.       What are the long-term ramifications?

·      Every action has a reaction.  We are free to act, but we are not free from the consequences of our act.

7.       Have I asked for advice?

·         Three criteria when asking advice:

1. Will this person take my question seriously?

2. Is my question in this person’s are of expertise?

3. Does this person have time to think through my questions?

8.       Am I afraid to pull the trigger?

9.       Am I making a convenient decision, or a right one?

·         Why it’s hard to say no:

• We want to be liked.

• We want to appear busy.

·         How to decide “yes” or “no”:

• Is this consistent with my priorities?

• Is this within my area of giftedness?

• Is this helpful to my organization I founded?

• Is this approved by my Hatchet Committee?

10.    Have I validated the decision in prayer?

·         Guidelines for prayer when making decisions:

• Ask God to help you remain neutral.

• Do not knowingly violate Scriptural principles.

• Be suspicious of decisions that heighten the fleshly desire.

• Ask God to speak to your spouse.