Why Strong Decision Making Drives Success

The CEO of a $176 billion company has a decision-making formula that most leaders never learn. Here's what it is. Julie Sweet, Chair & CEO of Accenture, 2x'ed the company's market cap in 6 years by mastering something senior women struggle with... Making bold decisions while others hesitate. Let me explain how she did it in 3 ways: 1-Rigorously study the topic in question. When Sweet knew little about tech as general counsel, she got coached and met virtually every two weeks for 18 mos. Today, she understands it better than many leaders. 2-Seek insights from a wide range of people. Sweet doesn't just listen to her inner circle. She actively seeks diverse perspectives to build a complete picture before deciding. 3-Make swift decisions. While others analyze, Sweet acts. This formula showed up during the recent market chaos. When trade policies sent companies reeling, most CEOs went into wait-and-see mode. She did the opposite. She connected with over 900 clients in web seminars, giving counterintuitive advice: ❌Stop taking cover ✅Start taking chances. Her reasoning behind all this is simple:  Bold decisions bring action during uncertain times. So, while other leaders wait to see how things play out, you can leapfrog ahead. It's calculated courage backed by preparation. Sweet used this approach twice: 1- When she moved Accenture into cloud tech in 2017, before most companies knew they needed it. As a result, cloud services now make up close to 50% of Accenture's revenues. 2- Recently, she did it again by investing $3 billion and training 1000s of employees in AI before ChatGPT was mainstream. The outcome? $1.8 billion in revenue this year. This is what I coach senior women in Leadership Edge:   Prepare thoroughly Decide strategically Move while others hesitate. I help you make this your default muscle to make decisions on the spot. What did you learn from Julie Sweet’s approach? #leadership #decisionmaking #strategy #coaching Picture credit: Fortune

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

Jeff Bezos taught me that the best leaders don’t wait to have 100% of the data to make decisions. That either takes too long or is impossible. Data and research don’t deliver decisions—good decisions are the products of good judgment. Jeff said it is best to make decisions with ~70% of the data needed, otherwise you have waited too long. What I see in a lot of organizations is that there is a deep craving for a process, research plan, or data analysis method that gives clear direction. Basically, people want the model, the formula, or the single number that gives them the answers to “the test.” I’m not a psychologist, so I can only speculate as to the root of this behavior, but it could be the need for external validation in order to lower the perceived risk and accountability for the outcomes. As the company grows, so does the scale and the stakes of decisions, so decision-makers become more cautious. The result in mature companies is often the false idea that if we deploy a robust enough analysis, process, or the gather the perfect dataset, the answer will reveal itself. But that’s the thing—it won’t. As I regularly advise executive leaders, analysis, data and processes are tools for better decision making… they don’t provide answers. Great leaders are great decision makers. They become great through the combination of: 1) Experience 2) Understanding business history 3) Building a great leadership team 4) Operational excellence (e.g. rigorous processes and analysis methods). No tool, metric, or strategy document will remove the need for judgment and ownership. Models can help us think, but we are the ones who ultimately have to decide. People want to believe there’s a formula that will make their decisions easy. But leadership is a game of judgment. Data-based judgment, yes—but judgment nonetheless, and the willingness to take responsibility for the outcome. Leaders make decisions. They don’t wait for them to become obvious. What do you think??

Your most underrated leadership trait? Decisiveness. Yet, too often, hesitation takes over. Many leaders fall into the trap of overthinking, failing to recognize that decisive action isn’t just about making a choice—it’s about driving clarity, trust, and momentum. Here’s why decisiveness matters: → Drives Alignment Clear decisions provide direction. When teams know where they’re heading, they focus better, collaborate effectively, and align with organizational goals. → Fosters Trust Hesitation breeds uncertainty. Decisive leaders inspire confidence among team members and stakeholders, empowering them to move forward with purpose. → Encourages Innovation A culture of quick, informed decisions reduces fear of failure and encourages teams to embrace change and take initiative. → Saves Time & Opportunities Missed opportunities often come from indecision. Acting quickly—based on the best available information—ensures momentum isn’t lost. So how can you become a more decisive leader? Prioritize Clarity Focus on gathering the right information, not all the information. Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. Build a Decision-Making Framework Set criteria for decisions: impact, urgency, and alignment with long-term goals. This makes choices clearer and quicker. Own Your Choices Accountability builds respect. Even when a decision leads to mistakes, owning it shows strength and creates a culture of learning. Communicate Clearly Make sure everyone understands the “why” behind the decision. Transparency fosters buy-in and commitment. Decisiveness isn’t just a skill; it’s a competitive advantage. Lead with clarity, act with purpose, and empower your team to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. What’s a decisive moment you’ve had recently? Let’s discuss.