Minisode: Decision Making 101 for Leaders

mgraziano45
18 hours ago
2 min read

When it comes to leadership, few skills matter more than decision-making. In this mini-episode of Adventures in Business, Mandi and Amani chat about what it really takes to make confident choices in business and life, from trusting your gut to avoiding analysis paralysis.

Decision Making for Leaders Is a Practice

Decision making for leaders isn’t a one-and-done skill. It’s something leaders must continually practice and refine. One of the greatest skills you can hone as a leader or business owner is decision making and understanding how people make decisions.

How Amani and Mandi Make Business Decisions

For Amani, his decision-making process is highly collaborative. For major business decisions, he talks to trusted colleagues and advisors to uncover blind spots. “I like to get other perspectives so my tunnel vision doesn’t get me in trouble,” he explains.

Mandi, on the other hand, tends to make decisions quickly and relies on intuition. “I’m decisive to a fault,” she laughs. “Sometimes my decisions aren’t perfect, but I believe the best decision you can make is simply making one.”

The Power of Gut Instinct

As leaders grow, they often realize how reliable their intuition can be. “I’ve learned to trust my gut more,” Amani says. “Not trusting it has gotten me into trouble.”

Mandi agrees, sharing how she’s learned to pause and listen to her instincts. “If I’m struggling with a decision, I’ll close my eyes, sit in silence, and really listen. My gut always guides me.”

Helping Others Make Decisions

As leaders, coaches, and consultants, Amani and Mandi often guide others through big decisions. Amani compares it to “setting the buffet table” by providing all the options and perspectives so people can choose the best path for themselves.

But he also warns against analysis paralysis: Some people keep researching and asking for opinions long after they have enough information. At some point, you just have to decide.

Mandi agrees and adds that part of her job is helping clients refocus on their priorities. People get dazzled by new information or shiny options. When that happens, she reminds them of the priorities they set at the start to get them back on track.

Decision Making for Leaders Without Pressure

When clients hesitate to make decisions, especially about investing in coaching or professional development, Amani and Mandi have learned to balance empathy with honesty.

Amani admits he sometimes struggles when potential clients delay action, saying they’ll “be ready next quarter.” Mandi’s advice? Communicate clearly about your availability and boundaries. “There are only so many hours in the day,” she says. “Let them know you’re here when they’re ready, but your time is limited.”

She also recommends gently reminding clients what’s at stake. If you’re putting off a decision because of uncertainty, remember that it’s never too soon to create a different path for yourself.