Leading with Decisiveness not Divisiveness

Organizations cannot move forward without decisions. Choices are always in front of you. Some decisions move your organization forward while others move you backwards. Some decisions unite while others divide. There are times when people connect to the organization while other times people disconnect.

Why is that?

Typically more people connect to a decision when they feel like it benefits the organization as a whole. In times of disconnectedness people feel like they are excluded and that their voice is not heard. Leaders unintentionally divide organizations and don't realize it until it's too late. 

Some leaders are decisive but they don't really care if it divides people because their decisions are aligned to their own beliefs and values. Some leaders are indecisive and as a result divide the organization because they can never figure out which direction to go. And then there are the leaders who are decisive in such a way that strengthens the organization every time they make a decision. 

So which are you?

Indecisive thus Divisive

Indecisive leaders have not identified or have no confidence in their own values. When making a decision they are constantly worried about the ramifications. Who will be mad is often a question asked. Worrying about the boss' approval consumes them. As a result of their floundering in uncertainty, indecisive leaders move their organizations backwards. 

Decisive and Divisive

Confident leaders have no problem making a decision. They know exactly what they want, and they can make a quick decision with little hesitation. The reason for this is simple. All decisions are made based on their own values. The problem with this type of leadership is that self-centered confidence can create collective conflict.  

Decisive and divisive leaders do not consider the ramifications of their verdicts on the organization. Making decisions based on what they think and feel frustrates followers. People see punitive policy rather than purposeful progression. So being unilaterally decisive can be just as detrimental to the organization as being completely indecisive. 

Decisive & United

Leaders who are decisive and unite others are centered around one key issue, values. These leaders not only know what their own personal values are but they know the values of the entire organization. They have no qualms making a decision because they know that every decision either conflicts with or complements organizational values. Uniting others is not a problem in times of solution-seeking. By constantly staying committed to values, leaders use each individual relationship to strengthen organizational values; furthermore, these uniter's empower followers to become leaders and make decisions that also align to the organization's values. 

Be Undivisive in your Decisiveness 

Being decisive takes courage, but being a uniter takes vulnerability. Understanding the minutia of organizational interdependency takes a lot of analysis and self reflection. By constantly committing and recommitting to personal values and organizational values, leaders can always make not only the right decision but the best decision to keep the team moving forward.