How to Make Quick Decisions

Most people think career success comes from making the perfect decision. It doesn’t. It comes from making timely, values-aligned ones. Especially when the next step feels unclear. One of my clients, a brilliant VP, spent 3 months stuck on a single choice: “Do I speak up about being overlooked, or wait for my work to speak for itself?” She called it strategic patience. But it was really fear disguised as overthinking. We ran it through this framework. She made the call. Six weeks later, her promotion was fast-tracked. She was finally seen, heard, and most importantly, included. Because here’s what I tell every high-achiever I coach: You don’t need more time to decide. You need a better way to decide. Try the 2-Minute Decision Framework™ (Career Edition): 1. QUICK DECISIONS → Handle it NOW For low-stakes tasks that clog your mental bandwidth: → Can you respond to that email in < 2 minutes? → Is the request low risk and easily reversible? → Are you spiraling on something that just needs action? ✅ Do it. Momentum builds trust and confidence. (Your career doesn’t stall in the big moves, it drips away through tiny indecisions.) 2. TEAM DECISIONS → Resolve it TODAY For collaborative work or project bottlenecks: → Who’s recommending this approach? → Who’s doing the work? → Who’s accountable for the final call? ✍️ Assign roles. Align expectations. Move forward. (Most team confusion comes from no one knowing who’s driving.) Use this anytime you’re: – Leading a cross-functional project – Navigating performance reviews – Building team trust through shared clarity 3. CAREER DECISIONS → Make it THIS WEEK For decisions that affect your growth, visibility, and voice: Use the 3–2–1 Method: → 3 options: Brainstorm career paths, scripts, or solutions → 2 perspectives: Ask two mentors, not the whole internet → 1 call: Choose the path aligned with your long game 🎯 Clarity > complexity. Every time. This works for: – Deciding whether to advocate for a raise or promotion – Considering a lateral move for growth – Navigating visibility or speaking up on tough issues The truth is: courageous careers aren’t built on perfect plans. They’re built on small, aligned decisions made with intention. That’s C.H.O.I.C.E.® in action. So here’s your coaching moment: 🔥 Pick one decision you’ve been avoiding. Run it through the framework. Make the call within the next hour. Then ask yourself: What changed when I finally decided? ❓ What’s one career decision you’ve been sitting on too long? Share it below, or DM me, and we’ll run it through together. 🔖 Save this for your next “Should I…?” moment 👥 Tag someone who needs this framework in their toolkit Because alignment isn’t found in overthinking. It’s built through C.H.O.I.C.E.®. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for tools that actually work in real life. #CareerCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment

Leading Up When Your Boss is a High-D and You Struggle with Decisiveness Have you ever found yourself overanalyzing a decision while your boss moves at lightning speed? You’re not alone. Many thoughtful, analytical leaders find themselves reporting to a high “D” (Dominance) on the DISC personality spectrum—someone who values speed, results, and direct action. The result? Friction. High-D leaders are wired for decisiveness. They don’t dwell in ambiguity or entertain lengthy deliberations. Meanwhile, those who struggle with decisiveness often want more data, alignment, and certainty before making a call. This fundamental mismatch can lead to frustration on both sides—your boss sees hesitation as inefficiency, while you see their fast moves as reckless. So how do you work effectively with a high-D leader while strengthening your own decision-making? It's a two-fold approach: Managing Up: 3 Tips to Navigate a High-D Boss ✅ Be direct and concise. High-Ds don’t want long explanations—lead with the bottom line, then provide details if asked. ✅ Come with solutions, not just problems. They expect action, so when you raise concerns, always offer potential paths forward. ✅ Match their pace when possible. Even if you prefer a slower approach, show urgency when needed. Speed and confidence build credibility. Boosting Your Decisiveness: 3 Ways to Act with Confidence 💡 Use the 70% rule. Leaders like Jeff Bezos advises making decisions when you have 70% of the information you’d like—not waiting for perfection. 💡 Set time limits. Overanalyzing? Give yourself 5 minutes (small choices) or 24 hours (big ones) to decide. This builds confidence over time. 💡 Trust your instincts. Studies show intuition is often as accurate as data-based decisions, especially with experience. The best leaders grow by stretching outside their comfort zones. If decisiveness isn’t natural, it’s a skill you can build. And by adapting to your boss’s style, you don’t just survive—you thrive.

Indecision costs more than bad decisions. Most leaders don’t get stuck because they lack data—they get stuck because they’re afraid of being wrong in public. If you're a founder, C-suite exec, or someone building under pressure, here's the decision-making system I coach leaders to internalize — especially during high-stakes pivots: Step 1: Ask yourself—Is this decision reversible? If it is, you are wasting time trying to perfect something that can be tested and corrected. Reversible decisions are low-cost experiments in disguise. Most of your growth is locked behind these “test-and-learn” loops that never happen—because your ego wants a perfect plan before taking action. If it’s reversible → make the call, move fast, measure feedback, adjust later. The best operators don’t fear failure. They fear stagnation. Step 2: If irreversible—how much time do you really have to decide? If there’s no time, you default to the clearest and safest path that preserves stakeholder trust and institutional integrity. If you do have time, don’t spend it collecting more data—spend it evaluating the right risks. Ask: What is the actual downside? What outcome would I regret not choosing 10 years from now? Which option gives me the highest long-term leverage, even if it’s uncomfortable now? Great CEOs are not afraid to make unpopular calls. They’re afraid of leaving leverage on the table. Step 3: Clarify the level of uncertainty—and your ability to absorb risk. You don’t need 100% clarity. You need enough clarity to act with conviction. If uncertainty is high, build a buffer—but don’t retreat into delay. Calculate risk, isolate worst-case impact, and move toward the option you can recover from even if it fails. Step 4: If everything is still murky—trust trained instinct, not raw emotion. Gut feeling isn’t magic. It’s accumulated pattern recognition built through experience and reflection. But if the clock is ticking and you’ve thought it through—don’t outsource your final call. Indecision is not strategy—it’s a silent killer of growth, culture, and momentum. Clarity is a CEO’s greatest asset. And clarity is built, not gifted. #ExecutiveLeadership #CeoCoach #StrategicDecisions #FounderWisdom #MentalModels #LeadershipExecution #HighPerformanceThinking

Chasing 'Perfect' Decisions Ever watch a brilliant founder flatline their startup? I have. More times than I can count. And it always starts the same way: paralysis by analysis. Here's the uncomfortable truth most "thought leaders" won't tell you: Being right is crushing your business. Think I'm crazy? Let's do some math: A "perfect" decision after 3 weeks = 70% success rate A "good enough" decision today = 60% success rate Seems obvious which is better, right? Wrong. While you're polishing that one decision, your competitors made three "good enough" moves and learned from each one. That's why Amazon's Jeff Bezos splits decisions into two types: • Type 1: Big, irreversible choices. Take your time. • Type 2: Everything else. Move fast. Here's the kicker: 90% of your decisions are Type 2. But we treat them all like Type 1. Real Story: Three years ago, I watched a founder delay launch for 2 months to fix "critical" issues. Those issues? Users never noticed them. What they did notice? The competitor who launched first. Your Quick-Decision Playbook: 1. Set decision timeboxes ("We decide by Friday") 2. Use the 80/20 rule (80% right now beats 100% too late) 3. Run 2-week experiments 4. Create pivot-safety ("We can always adjust") 5. Ask: "What's truly irreversible here?" The Hidden Multiplier: When you start deciding faster, your entire team follows. They stop waiting for perfect information. They start moving forward. They take ownership. Because here's what 20 years of scaling tech teams taught me: The founder who made 100 good decisions will always outperform the one who made 20 perfect ones. Your move: What decision are you overthinking right now? Make the call. Your future self will thank you. #TechLeadership #StartupStrategy #Innovation

How to master quick decision-making in business (A guide): 1. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Don’t delay decisions waiting for the perfect solution - an imperfect decision is better than none. You can always adjust later. 2. Speed up your experiments. The faster you can learn from a decision, the quicker you can iterate and improve. 3. Consult trusted voices and reflect quietly. Your intuition, honed by experience, is a critical tool for making swift decisions. Trust it. 4. Difficult decisions require open dialogue. Whether it’s a spontaneous chat or a scheduled check-in, make sure your team feels safe to discuss challenges. 5. Recurring meetings provide a safety net. Even if not always used, they ensure decisions are made promptly rather than dragged out over weeks. 6. After gathering input, take time to reflect and journal. This process sharpens your thinking and helps refine your decisions. 7. Regular check-ins with coaches or peers help you continuously optimize strategies and keep your decision-making sharp. 8. Once you’ve made a decision, act on it immediately. Clarity without execution is wasted potential. 9. Encourage a culture where difficult issues are openly discussed. This not only strengthens decision-making but also builds trust and resilience within the team. 10. Your gut feeling, informed by experience and reflection, is often your best guide in complex situations. Hone it like a skill. 11. Keep decision-making straightforward. Complex processes slow you down - simplicity is your ally in speed. 12. Regular updates and feedback from trusted advisors help refine your approach and ensure you’re making the best decisions possible. Make the last 4 months of 2024 yours. Don’t wait - start making faster, more informed decisions today.

ever watched a leader fire off a 2:45 a.m. “urgent” email… and by sunrise the whole team is scrambling? that’s speed with zero steering—costly and exhausting. true strategic urgency feels different. it’s decision velocity: rapid, confident choices executed with purpose. how do you get there? run the v² flywheel with three momentum habits: decide fast ↳ collapse approval chains so the right call clears in ≤ 24 hrs ship small ↳ break big bets into micro‑releases customers can feel now show proof ↳ broadcast authentic wins within days to attract fresh fuel—talent, capital, attention cycle after cycle, velocity × visibility compounds into unstoppable momentum. want a 3‑week jump‑start? week 1: cut one approval chain week 2: ship a customer‑visible improvement week 3: share the win within 48 hrs measure decision‑cycle time and inbound interest before vs. after. if both rise, your flywheel is spinning. i break it all down—plus the sustainable guardrails that prevent burnout—in my latest article. give it a read and let me know which habit you’ll start today. #leadership #decisionvelocity #agility #momentum #futureofwork

Most leaders wait until they're confident to make big decisions. The best leaders make decisions that build confidence. I see it everywhere: → Decisions delayed until "we have more data." → Smart executives paralyzed by analysis.  → Endless meetings about meetings. Meanwhile, their competitors are moving fast and winning market share. The 7 decision-making razors that help leaders move fast: (without breaking things) Burn the Boats  ❌ Keep escape routes that make you comfortable  ✅ Set unmovable deadlines and invest money upfront  → Commitment triggers resourcefulness you didn't know you had Empty the Buckets  ❌ Let concerns swirl endlessly in your head  ✅ Write them down, group by theme, focus on top 3  → Mental clarity creates decision clarity Flip a Coin  ❌ Use it to make the actual decision  ✅ Use it to reveal what you're secretly hoping for  → Your gut reaction tells you what you already know Sell Nothing First  ❌ Build first, validate later  ✅ Get commitments and proof of demand before investing  → Market validation removes the fear of failure Find a Partner  ❌ Make decisions in isolation  ✅ Get accountability from someone with skin in the game  → External pressure creates internal momentum Commit to One Daily Step  ❌ Wait for the perfect moment to start  ✅ Take one small action every single day  → Momentum dissolves overwhelm Price Your Indecision  ❌ Ignore the cost of waiting  ✅ Calculate what delay is actually costing you  → Quantifying pain motivates action The pattern is clear:  Great leaders don't have better information.  They have better systems. They don't wait for certainty.  They create frameworks that work without it. Your next breakthrough isn't hiding behind more analysis.  It's hiding behind the decision you keep postponing. Remember:  Decisions without execution are just expensive meetings. But decisions with systems?  That's how you turn decisions into momentum. Here's an easy decision every leader should make. 📌 Subscribe to my free MGMT Playbook: https://mgmt.beehiiv.com Get a practical leadership tip, tool or tacitic every week. Before you go:  ♻️ PLease share this to help other leaders  🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more

Fact: 60% of first-time leaders fail within 24 months. And the surprising part: It’s not because they lack skills. It’s because they fall into psychological traps that sabotage their success before they even realize it. The Hidden Mental Barriers That Cause Leadership Failure: 1️⃣ Perfectionism → Decision Paralysis New leaders often believe that every decision must be perfect—which leads to hesitation, over-analysis, and bottlenecks. 🔹 Research shows perfectionism increases procrastination by 20% and slows down execution. (Journal of Behavioral Decision Making) > Use Cognitive Reframing. Instead of aiming for “perfect,” aim for progress. Make data-driven decisions based on 80% of available information—then adjust as needed. 2️⃣ Fear of Delegation → Micromanagement & Burnout Many first-time leaders think, “It’s faster if I do it myself.” But this mindset leads to micromanagement, overwork, and frustrated teams. 🔹 Studies show that leaders who delegate effectively increase team productivity by 33%. (Gallup) > Shift from control to coaching. Set clear expectations, check in strategically (not obsessively), and trust your team to deliver. 3️⃣ Self-Doubt → Imposter Syndrome & Hesitation Even the most capable leaders secretly think: "Do I really deserve this role?" 70% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. (American Psychological Association) > Implement Mindfulness & Self-Affirmation Practices. Neuroscience research shows rewiring negative self-talk through positive reinforcement improves confidence and executive presence. If you are a new manager overwhelmed, stressed, and constantly second-guessing your choices. Adopt this “70% Rule” from Amazon, I give my clients. 📌 Jeff Bezos’ leadership philosophy: If you have 70% of the data, make the decision. Waiting for 90%+ certainty leads to slow execution and missed opportunities. By applying this mindset, you will: ✅ Delegate 50% more tasks, freeing time for strategy. ✅ Make faster, data-driven decisions with confidence. ✅ Build trust within his team—reducing turnover by 25%. The Best Leaders Master Their Mindset. They recognize when stress, fear, or perfectionism is dictating their actions and take control of their mental framework. If you’re stepping into a leadership role (or coaching new leaders), ask yourself: Which of these psychological traps have you faced and how did you overcome them? #Leadership #Mindset #ExecutiveCoaching #DecisionMaking #EmotionalIntelligence #Delegation

Life rewards those who decide. Not those who wait. Here’s how to make the right call, fast 👇: 🧠 The Science of Decision-Making:  Research shows that overthinking drains our cognitive energy, reduces our confidence, and can even lead to worse decisions. On the other hand, decisive people tend to be more productive, confident, and successful.  👉🏻 If you want to speed up your decision-making process without sacrificing quality, these 6 proven strategies are the answer. 1️⃣ Set Clear Criteria:   ↳ Decide what’s most important before making the decision.  ↳ Is it speed, cost, quality, or alignment with your values?  ↳ Having a clear framework in place simplifies complex choices and eliminates options that don’t fit. 2️⃣ Use the 70% Rule:   ↳ Adopted by Jeff Bezos, the idea is to make a decision when you have 70% of the information you need.  ↳ Waiting for 90% often means missing opportunities.  ↳ Remember: No decision is perfect; most are reversible. 3️⃣ Limit Your Options:   ↳ Studies show that having too many options can lead to decision fatigue.  ↳ Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 viable ones.  ↳ When in doubt, eliminate anything that isn’t a clear “yes.” 4️⃣ Apply the 5-Minute Rule:   ↳ If a decision is not life-altering, give yourself just 5 minutes to make it.  ↳ This forces you to trust your instincts and prevents you from getting bogged down in unnecessary details. 5️⃣ Pre-Decide with “If-Then” Plans:   ↳ Reduce decision fatigue by creating “If-Then” rules. For example, “If it’s a project under $1,000, then I’ll delegate it to my team.” ↳ This simplifies decision-making and speeds up your process. 6️⃣ Embrace Imperfection:   ↳ Fear of failure often slows us down.  ↳ Understand that mistakes are a part of growth.  ↳ Make peace with the fact that not every decision will be perfect, but every decision is an opportunity to learn. 📝 Why It Matters:   Faster decision-making means less stress, more productivity, and more time focusing on what truly matters.  It also builds confidence and decisiveness, which are key traits of effective leaders. ♻️ Your Turn:  What’s one decision-making tip that has helped you the most?  Share in the comments below, or tag someone who needs to read this. 📌 PS... “Indecision is the thief of opportunity.” - Jim Rohn 🚀 Follow Harry Karydes for more daily tips to engineer your ideal life through mindset, habits and systems.

Leaders make 70 decisions at work every day. But are they fast and smart enough? The problem leaders face is: → They wait for perfect information. → They react to events instead of anticipating. → They drown in complexity instead of acting decisively. But what if you could: → Get your team on the same page, even in chaos → Make confident calls, even without all the answers → Spot problems early & handle them before they blow up → Take something messy & turn it into clear, doable actions You can. It’s called the OODA Loop Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ Observe → What’s happening right now? → Gather the data. Look for patterns. 2️⃣ Orient → What does this mean for you? → Filter the noise, and focus on the critical info. 3️⃣ Decide → What’s the next move? → Speed matters. Don’t overthink. 4️⃣ Act → Execute. Test. Adapt. → The faster your feedback loop, the smarter your decisions. Hesitation costs opportunities. Quick decisions build momentum. This framework gives you speed without sacrificing clarity.