Weekend Boost No. 148
DECISION-MAKING: LEADING FROM THE SIDE
One of the most challenging leadership skills is knowing how - and when - to empower your team to make decisions. It requires discernment, timing, and trust.
Here are two resources that offer valuable frameworks for deciding when to step in, step back, or step aside in the decision-making process.
Here's an HBR article on the Cynefin Framework by Dave Snowden. This framework helps leaders determine whether situations are simple, complicated, complex, or chaotic - each requiring a different response.
This short video on the Vroom Jago decision-tree offers questions for discernment on this topic.
THE PRACTICE
Think of a decision that is in front of you right now and use these questions (pulled from/inspired from these frameworks) as you think about your approach.
1. Urgency: Is there an immediate deadline, risk, or safety concern?
Yes → ☐ Step In
No → ☐ Step Back
2. Impact: Will the outcome significantly affect clients, funding, strategy, or mission-critical operations?
Yes → ☐ Step In
No → ☐ Step Back
3. Team Readiness: Does the team have the knowledge, confidence, and context to make this decision well?
No → ☐ Step In
Yes → ☐ Step Back
4. Learning Opportunity: Will holding space for the team to decide help them grow capacity, ownership, or problem-solving skills?
No (e.g., high stakes or time-sensitive) → ☐ Step In
Yes → ☐ Step Back
5. Reversibility: Can the decision be easily reversed or iterated on later?
No → ☐ Step In
Yes → ☐ Step Back
