Latest news with #decisionMaking
Entrepreneur
3 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How to Stop Overthinking and Start Taking Action
Business success requires quick decision-making — not long, drawn-out consensus-building. The risk isn't as great as you think, so make a decision and get moving. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Are you a doctor? Me neither. So why do we spend so much time obsessing over business decisions like we're performing open-heart surgery? If I had to make a medical decision, I would really be in trouble. And that's why I don't. But guess what? A lot of medical decisions are made quickly. I've worked in both giant corporations and scrappy startups. You know what sets them apart? In large companies, 99% of the time is spent worrying about the 1% of things that might go wrong. In small ones, 99% of the time is spent sprinting forward — because there's no time to sweat the small stuff. Get moving or start dying (metaphorically). It's that simple. In essence, what I'm talking about is the difference between paralyzing risk management and bold risk acceptance. One keeps the wheels spinning; the other keeps the business moving. I once wrote a LinkedIn post that simply said: "The biggest mistake you can make is being afraid to make one." It's something I remind myself of on tough days. Because no matter how chaotic it gets, what we do isn't life or death — it's business. And business requires momentum. It doesn't require months of groupthink. Related: Entrepreneurs Don't Overthink Things. They Make a Decision and Go With It. How do you keep the business moving? 1. Be ruthless, but thoughtful, about hiring I worked at a company where closing a deal required six levels of approval. Six. Levels. Of. Approval. That's not process — it's pure bureaucracy and pain. As you grow, be intentional. Every hire should have a clear purpose and deliver real value. If you can't answer these questions in a positive manner: What does this role do ? How does it help us grow? Is it really a full-time position? Would it be better to outsource it than keep it in-house? …then don't hire. You're building a team, not a padded org chart. 2. Make the call at 51% You don't need 100% certainty to act. You don't even need 60%. If you're 51% sure — leaning ever so slightly toward one direction — that's enough. It has to be. Waiting for perfection leads to paralysis. Move. Decide. Adjust later if needed. Deal with the fallout, if it comes. In my experience, the big scary "what-ifs" rarely happen. What does happen? Nothing — because no decision gets made. 3. Two days max If it's a decision that keeps your business running, it shouldn't take more than a day or two. That includes tough calls like terminations. Sure, major events like acquisitions or IPOs deserve more deliberation. This isn't a one-size-fits-all prophecy. But day-to-day? You're stalling if it drags on. Every extra day adds uncertainty — and that's a cost you don't want. Let me tell you a secret: The decision you come to on day 30 is likely the same one you came to on day two. Try it sometime and see ... or don't, because that means you're seriously delaying. 4. If you're wrong? The world won't end. In most cases, the worst-case scenario is a loss of revenue. Not good — but not fatal either. As long as your decisions are ethical, you'll live to fight another day. Don't let fear of failure keep you frozen. Action beats inaction. Every time. Related: Time to Stop Overanalyzing and Start Making Decisions! How to think less and do more 1. Build smart consensus Get input from your team, but don't let collaboration become a boomerang. Bounce ideas around, align direction, and then execute. Note, this does not mean that everyone has to agree. Quite the opposite. Use smart consensus to inform your decision. This isn't picking curtains — it's about moving the business forward. Stop polishing decisions and just ship them. 2. Get expert advice (but don't marinate in it) Need a legal opinion or some financial expertise? Great — get it. Find a lawyer. Hire an accountant. Use experts like a compass, not a crutch. Their guidance should help you move faster, not slow you down. You should get additional warm fuzzies relying on information provided by an expert who has seen the problem before. That should give you even less incentive to delay. 3. Trust your gut Seriously. Your gut's smarter than you think. I once ignored mine and joined a hot startup that felt "off." Turns out, it was. The founders ended up under federal indictment. Your instincts are data, too. Learn to listen. When your gut is screaming, pay attention. Your first impression is often the correct one. Related: Overcome This Common Entrepreneurial Struggle and Stop Sabotaging Your Progress Time is the real currency Time isn't just money; it's everything. You only get so much of it. Long, drawn-out decisions not only stall your business — they eat into your life. When you take forever to make a call, you're not just delaying growth — you're delaying freedom, balance and personal progress. So don't waste time trying to perfect every move. Businesses aren't built on perfection. They're built on momentum. Ask yourself: What feels better — crawling or driving a Ferrari? Start the engine. Let's go.
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The High Price Of Leadership (And Ways To Bring It Down)
Joe Altieri is the CIO at RiteScreen and the Inventor of FlexScreen, the cutting-edge innovation revolutionizing the window industry. Leadership isn't glamorous. Motivational speeches, grateful teams and energizing collaborations are a part of it— sometimes. But more often than not, leadership is like that Rolex watch—so appealing but so incredibly expensive. University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart shared three very wise and insightful points about leadership that I think seasoned leaders don't talk about enough and young or aspiring leaders ignore to their peril. Here's how I interpreted them: When you're in a leadership position, you're entrusted with making decisions that serve the greater good—even if that means hurting someone you genuinely like or care about. Leaders who take the easy path and let a bad situation continue because they don't want to make any waves can expect an eventual tsunami of resentment. You can get away with tipping the scales for a difficult or incompetent (but very loyal) person a few times, but it won't take long for the grumbling to start among the faithful, hardworking employees who see the injustice with striking clarity. Action Step: Stay steadfast in your decisions. Do what you can to lessen the blow for the people who will be negatively affected, but don't neglect or put off doing the right thing. The short-term discomfort is far better than the likely long-term pain of shirking your leadership responsibilities. We all want to be effective AND liked, but the reality is that someone will always be unhappy or disapprove of your decision or direction. That is unavoidable. The goal must be to base our decisions on effectiveness—not popularity. And that's harder than it seems. When I was building a company, I made choices that prioritized innovation and long-term growth. Sometimes, that meant saying "no" to things others thought would be beneficial or necessary. Some people didn't like it. Some still don't. But leadership isn't a popularity contest, and the last thing you want is a room full of "yes" people. If everyone always agrees with you, it's time to check yourself. That red flag almost always means one of two things: They're afraid to voice an opinion or have relegated themselves to the reality that it wouldn't matter anyway. In either case, the leader is missing the mark entirely. So what can you do? Surround yourself with people who understand your heart, even if they don't always agree with your decisions. Communicate clearly and often. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. People may not like your choices, but they'll most likely respect you for being consistent, honest and mission-driven. The sooner you accept that you will be misunderstood—a lot—the better your leadership journey will be. Every leader will find themselves in the hot seat regularly. The first instinct is usually to defend and protect yourself, but that's a losing long-term strategy. The people who aren't you have no idea what it actually takes to be you, and no amount of explaining will help. Of course, if you can set the record straight, do it. But don't obsess over it. Unless the misunderstanding threatens to lead to long-term team or corporate damage, let your trusted inner circle handle it while you stay focused on the main objectives. The vast majority of the dust-ups will die down quickly with very little consequence, and if you have surrounded yourself with the right people, they will let you know if your intervention is necessary. What's the action step here? Rise above the fray. Resist the urge to strike back, keep moving forward with the company agenda and remember that it is always wise to overcommunicate, especially when tensions run high. Success, progress and wins tend to naturally quiet the discord. The common saying about war and sports perfectly applies to business, too; the best defense is a good offense. Leadership costs something. It costs comfort, ease, and sometimes relationships. But remember that you're not just building "something." You're investing in and building people. You're shaping culture and moving things forward. Sure, the weight of leadership can feel like a massive burden at times, but that's when perspective is critical. So, think of it like this. We get to do something that can be life-changing for so many. We get to empower and lift others up and lead people toward their full potential. We get to make a difference and, hopefully, make the world a better place. And that, my fellow leaders, is a rare privilege that is definitely worth the cost. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Globe and Mail
16 hours ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Your daily horoscope: June 20, 2025
You will achieve much more over the coming year if you resist the urge to be imperious and take a more democratic approach to decision-making both at home and at work. You know a lot but you cannot possibly know everything, so listen to advice. Set your own goals today and don't let anyone talk you into lowering them to a level that is too easy for you. As an Aries you like to be challenged because it allows you to show what you can do – and prove you are better than your rivals. A new cycle is about to begin and the good news is it will be one in which you get the chance to expand your outlook on life and reach for objectives you previously believed were beyond you. Set your sights high, then keep going higher. The stresses and strains of everyday living have taken their toll in recent weeks, so promise yourself that you won't do anything too challenging today and over the weekend. Even a livewire Gemini needs to slow things down once in a while. You found it hard to get your own way in recent weeks but as the sun is about to move into your sign opposition to your plans will fade and friends and colleagues will actually be supportive for a change. You have much to look forward to. You may think you have to work harder than ever to earn the respect of partners and colleagues but that isn't true at all. Most of them already think you are wonderful, so sit back and enjoy the well-deserved adulation. The sun's change of signs tomorrow means you will find it remarkably easy to win others round to your way of thinking and acting. With Jupiter and Mars on your side as well you are going to be doing great things over the next few weeks. When dealing with official matters of any kind today you must check the small print carefully, because if you miss something important others won't be inclined to give you a second bite at the cherry. Aim to get it right the first time. A wonderful new phase is about to begin, so strap yourself in and get ready for the ride of your life! With the sun, Mars and Jupiter all on your side there really is no limit to what you can accomplish. Love is in the air as well. By all means aim high today and over the weekend but don't set yourself the kind of targets that even a Sagittarius might struggle to reach. If you fail to remind yourself that you are human now an unexpected event will remind you later on. With so much cosmic activity taking place in the opposite half of your chart you have to accept that in most situations you won't be calling the shots. The good news is you don't have to as those making the decisions are very much on your side. If you find yourself at odds with someone you live or work with today don't turn it into a battle of wills or the sort of winner-takes-all situation that inevitably leaves one side feeling unhappy. Focus on areas where you still mainly agree. With the sun about to move into the most dynamic and creative area of your chart all your senses will be on alert and all your dreams will start to come true. Once you realize you can do no wrong you will want to do everything. Discover more about yourself at
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Maximizing Data Insights Can Drive Decisions That Yield Growth
Business leader reviewing data insights Nearly everyone in an organization feels the pressure to act decisively. From the individual contributors helping internal users with technical issues to top leadership, all must make decisions that impact critical outcomes. Going down the wrong path may have consequences ranging from a minor mishap to an unrecoverable catastrophe. In my experience, whether situations call for split-second choices or drawn-out analyses, having data-driven insights to rely on can steer the team in the right direction. Nonetheless, sometimes access to facts, figures and stats isn't enough. Maximizing data insights not only ensures a higher degree of accuracy but also results in growth. Discover the main reasons below. Many business leaders have experienced working for an organization that lacked clear strategic direction. Even worse, its initiatives might have frequently shifted abruptly—from crucial decisions about brand identity to determining who would oversee the company's website redesign. While inconsistent decision-making sometimes stems from conflicting viewpoints, it most often signals a fundamental failure to harness data effectively. The challenge isn't always a lack of research or information. More often, not using data effectively can be linked to disorganization, or to models or datasets that need fine-tuning. This is particularly true in the age of LLMs and Machine Learning, where high-quality data is more critical than ever. In other words, the organization lacks the proper tools to consolidate its data. This prevents the information from sufficiently synchronizing to yield clear, actionable insights that ensure everyone is on the same page. Some of my portfolio companies have used tools like that allow companies to build datasets, evaluate or fine-tune models and collaborate with multiple stakeholders. Rather than making decisions based on disparate data, marketing and customer service directors can access the same, unified information. This approach leads to cleaner datasets that are synthesized across departments, ensuring greater consistency. When critical stakeholders contribute to data models, it reduces surprises and disjointed decisions. This allows the company to maintain its trajectory, enhancing growth aligned with data-driven insights. With improved consistency, employees gain greater clarity, enabling them to achieve their growth goals. Analytics reveal insights beyond just current market trends. These tools also provide predictive capabilities, which are crucial for enhancing a company's competitiveness. By fully leveraging data analytics insights, organizations can stay ahead of the curve. Remaining ahead of the competition translates to delivering solutions before competitors do or offering superior versions that improve the customer experience. This competitive advantage may be magnified by what's often called a 'data flywheel'—a virtuous cycle where insights drive better products and services, which in turn generate richer data for even further optimization and differentiation. For example, Helix Wireless was able to help client Genesee & Wyoming, a short-line railroad holding company, do this through data-driven insights. Train passengers naturally want to stay connected while they're traveling. However, the nature of train travel means railroad cars are passing through tunnels, remote landscapes and long distances. Different wireless carriers own and operate the towers that enable mobile data and, consequently, mobile Wi-Fi networks. When service constantly switches between these carriers, it can result in dropped and unstable connections. Leveraging data insights, Helix knew its client was juggling multiple relationships with different carriers across various countries. This led to a less-than-seamless experience for the railroad operator's customers. So, Helix's used their SmartSIM to eliminate challenges with connectivity, roaming expenses and service restrictions could be overcome. Costs related to purchasing and logistics decreased by 25%, and customers got a better experience. When service and product solutions become more competitive, market growth typically follows. Anytime you see a user experience that has disruptions like this, try and find a solution that can eliminate frustrations for your customer. Consider any major decision, personal or professional. The inherent uncertainty often leads to agonizing over 'what-ifs' —the potential risks and downsides of choosing a particular path, sometimes even the worst possible outcomes. In business, when teams and leaders rely on intuition rather than insight, risks can be greater. Decisions become susceptible to real-time impulses or are hindered by incomplete data. Assumptions may also arise from a lack of proper tools to interpret information correctly. Regardless, failing to maximize data insights often leads to poorly informed choices. It's similar to looking at a picture from a single angle. Acting on this limited perspective, an organization may proceed down a misleading path, taking on unnecessary risks and dealing with the ensuing fallout. Getting a complete data picture eliminates most of the guesswork. Instead of choosing a direction based on assumptions, decisions are backed by comprehensive data. The broader the perspective, the greater the accuracy. Consequently, more informed teams and leaders face a reduced chance of undesirable outcomes. Mitigating risks means fewer costs that can stifle growth, including qualitative expenses like the erosion of brand trust. A company's growth is often synonymous with success. But behind the numbers are well-made decisions, ranging from strategic product launches to everyday interactions with clients. Without data-driven insights, those choices can derail an organization's growth trajectory. Acquiring the tools and resources needed to get the most out of the information you gather will enhance consistency, competitiveness and risk reduction.
Free Malaysia Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Watch out for the ‘salt and pepper test' when lunching with recruiters
By seeing whether a candidate will taste their dish before seasoning it, a recruiter can apparently access his or her ability to make decisions. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Some recruiters can be rather imaginative when it comes to testing the emotional intelligence of job applicants. A few years ago, a former Australian CEO revealed his method for deciding between two equally qualified candidates. Dubbed the 'coffee cup test', the technique involved serving a cup of coffee at the start of a job interview, then observing the person's actions at the end. Will they ask where they can put their dirty cup, or forget about it altogether and leave it where it is? The first scenario works in the candidate's favour than the second: apparently, showing willingness to clear your mug demonstrates initiative and team spirit, as well as a strong ability to adapt quickly to the company culture. Recently, another similar-minded recruitment test has been making the rounds on social networks. Initially thought to be an urban myth, it has nevertheless been reported by managers and employers claiming to put it into practice, notably in the United States. This time, the test involves salt and pepper shakers: the idea is to analyse whether the candidate will taste their dish before seasoning it. In doing so, the recruiter assesses the candidate's ability to make decisions based on how they behave. In other words, this 'test' allows recruiters to determine whether the candidate is the type to observe and think before acting, or whether they will rush into action impulsively, following their instincts or assumptions without analysing the situation beforehand. Hiring managers are increasingly placing priority on candidates' soft skills such as professionalism, emotional intelligence, and team spirit. (Envato Elements pic) While these tests – which have not been approved by any kind of HR certification – may seem far-fetched and relatively rare in practice, they nonetheless reflect a very real trend in corporate culture in line with what is commonly known as 'soft skills'. These qualities include professionalism, emotional intelligence and team spirit, and are increasingly valued by recruiters and managers alike. A recent LinkedIn survey showed that employees who know how to demonstrate soft skills get promoted more quickly than their colleagues who focus more on their hard skills, i.e. the technical and practical abilities they require to fulfill tasks associated with their position. But not all soft skills are equal – the LinkedIn study adds that organisational skills, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership are the most effective aptitudes for getting promoted more quickly.
