Decision-making is a critical skill for leaders, but how do you know you’re making the right ones? When organizational success hinges on your choices, this skill should be properly honed. To make better decisions, start by gathering and analyzing all the available information. Effective decision making requires gathering relevant information and data. Leaders should proactively seek out information from diverse sources, analyze it objectively, and consider the potential implications of their decisions. This approach helps minimize biases and ensures informed decision making. It’s also important to engage key stakeholders in the decision-making process. This will provide you with valuable insights and perspectives. Leaders should seek input from individuals who will be affected by the decision, including team members, customers, and subject matter experts. This collaborative approach promotes transparency, generates buy-in, and leads to better-informed decisions. Leaders also must explore and evaluate multiple alternatives before making a decision. This approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of different options and encourages creative thinking. Considering alternatives also helps identify potential risks and opportunities associated with each option, leading to more robust decision making. It can help to implement a decision-making framework or model, like SWOT or a pros and cons list. By applying a framework, leaders can make more objective and well-rounded decisions. Finally, trust your gut and take action. While gathering data and involving stakeholders is essential, leaders should also trust their intuition or “gut feeling.” Experience and expertise play a role in decision making. Once a decision is made, leaders must act promptly and confidently. Delaying decisions can hinder progress and create uncertainty.