As the new year begins, many leaders are focused on setting ambitious goals for themselves and their teams. However, research shows that while 91% of people set resolutions, only 9% successfully achieve them. One major factor that holds leaders and teams back is indecision—a barrier that stalls momentum and keeps organizations from reaching their full potential.
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind decision-making, uncover common roadblocks, and introduce a powerful framework—the DECIDE Framework—that will help you and your team make confident choices, align decisions with organizational goals, and create sustained success in the year ahead.
The Science of Decision-Making
We make an average of 35,000 decisions each day—ranging from minor choices to significant ones that can shape the future of our work and teams. Yet, studies show that 58% of people experience decision paralysis when faced with too many options, and 48% regret the choices they make.
For leaders, this hesitation can have serious consequences. When teams struggle with indecision, productivity slows, opportunities slip by, and morale can decline. It’s crucial to recognize the barriers to effective decision-making, particularly in leadership roles:
Common Barriers to Decision-Making
Choice Overload: Too many options can overwhelm leaders and teams.
Fear of Regret: Worrying about making the “wrong” decision can lead to inaction.
Lack of Confidence: Doubting the ability to choose effectively often results in hesitation and delays.
These challenges prevent leaders from taking decisive actions that would drive team success, such as launching new initiatives, executing on strategic goals, or fostering a culture of collaboration. The key is understanding that decisions don’t need to be perfect—they just need to keep the team moving forward.
Introducing the DECIDE Framework for Improved Decision-making
To break free from decision paralysis and help teams make confident, action-oriented choices, we introduce the DECIDE Framework: Dare, Evaluate, Commit, Initiate, Deliver, Evolve. This approach simplifies decision-making and empowers leaders to take bold steps toward achieving organizational goals.
Step 1: Dare
As a leader, it’s crucial to set ambitious goals and encourage your team to step outside their comfort zones. Many teams fail at the start due to fear of failure or uncertainty about their abilities. Begin by articulating a clear vision for success and empower your team to embrace it. For example, if your team has been hesitating to pursue a new project, encourage them to envision what success would look like and how it will benefit the organization.
Tip: Use positive affirmations to build confidence within the team, such as, "We are capable of achieving this goal together."
Step 2: Evaluate
Make sure to evaluate your options as a team and avoid getting stuck in analysis paralysis. Identify the pros and cons of each decision, focusing on those that align with the team’s values and long-term vision. For example, if your team is debating between two potential projects, evaluate the impact of each on organizational goals, resources, and team morale.
Tip: Limit your team’s options to 2-3 choices to prevent overwhelm and foster clearer decision-making.
Step 3: Commit
Once your team has evaluated the options, it's time to make a decision and commit to it. This step is critical for building confidence and momentum within the team. For instance, if your team has identified a strategic goal, such as increasing client engagement, commit to specific actions like setting up weekly check-ins to track progress.
Tip: Have the team document the decision and clearly articulate why it matters to the organization.
Step 4: Initiate
The key to building momentum as a team is taking immediate action. Even a small step, such as scheduling a meeting or sending an email, can propel the team forward and build confidence. For example, if your team has committed to improving communication, initiate an action plan to set up a weekly newsletter or team huddles.
Tip: Set deadlines for initial actions to ensure follow-through and prevent procrastination.
Step 5: Deliver
Execution is where success happens. Hold your team accountable by tracking progress and celebrating small wins along the way. For example, if your team is working toward a major goal, such as launching a new program, create a timeline with clear milestones for each phase of the project.
Tip: Use tools like project management software, team calendars, or accountability partners to track and celebrate progress.
Step 6: Evolve
Every decision provides valuable feedback that can help the team improve. Whether things go as planned or not, reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and adapt moving forward. For example, if your team launched a new initiative that didn’t meet expectations, reflect on the process, gather feedback, and adjust the strategy to improve outcomes in the future.
Tip: Encourage the team to view challenges as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
Tips for Staying Motivated
Even with the DECIDE Framework, it’s easy for teams to lose momentum. Here are a few strategies to keep the team moving forward:
Break Goals into Smaller Steps: Large goals can overwhelm the team. Break them down into manageable tasks to create clarity and momentum.
Visualize Success: Help your team visualize the outcome of their decisions. For example, imagine the successful launch of a new product or an accomplished team goal.
Celebrate Progress: Celebrate milestones and successes along the way to keep morale high.
Embrace Imperfection: Remind your team that progress is more important than perfection. Every decision offers valuable learning and growth.
Why DECIDE Matters for Your Team
The DECIDE framework is not just a tool for making better decisions—it’s a mindset that empowers leaders to unlock their team’s potential and drive organizational success. When teams dare to pursue their goals, evaluate options with clarity, and commit to action, they create a wave of momentum that leads to greater outcomes.
The new year is a fresh start. DECIDE to lead your team through confident decision-making, meaningful progress, and collective success.
As a consultant, facilitator and trainer, I collaborate with visionary leaders to elevate excellence, cultivate connection, and build high-performing, mission-aligned teams. Email me at carolyn@leadersconnectandinspire.com with "TEAM" in the subject line, and I’ll be happy to share more.
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