Decision-Making Mastery:

Empower Your Team to Make Bold Decisions

Have you ever wanted a team of confident, self-assured decision-makers?

It’s easy to think that’s what we want, but when the time comes, handing over decision-making power can feel risky. It’s natural to second-guess, double-check, or even control every choice to avoid mistakes. 

I’ve learned that building a bold, effective team starts with empowering them to make decisions—even if that means letting them stumble occasionally.

A Credit Union CEO recently shared a similar challenge with me. As they prepare to hand over leadership in the next five years, their team often looks to them for answers instead of working through decisions independently. This has left the CEO concerned about their team’s current decision-making process and how to help them strengthen these skills now.

Practical Application:

1. Trust Them to Decide, Trust Them to Fail
   I once worked with an exceptionally talented leader who was paralyzed by her fear of making mistakes. She’d second-guess herself constantly, always wanting approval before moving forward. I knew she had the potential to make great decisions, but first, she needed to trust herself.
   So, I gave her a simple challenge: “I trust you to make decisions and mistakes. Instead of running everything by me, make the call. Let’s meet weekly to review your choices. Make sure to share with me why you made the decision, and we can walk through any next steps together.”

2. Create a “Post-Decision” Check-In, Not a Pre-Approval Process
   It’s essential to shift from pre-approval to post-decision feedback. This change doesn’t mean ignoring your team’s choices but giving them the freedom to try and learn. The key is to have a regular check-in to discuss what went well, and areas for growth and celebrate successes. Over time, this builds their confidence and allows them to refine their decision-making skills.

3. Support, Not Perfection
   The goal is to support your team’s growth, not perfection. When leaders show they trust their team to make thoughtful mistakes, it encourages them to step up and experiment. Over time, those small missteps lead to better, more confident decisions.

3 Power Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What would happen if I empowered my team to make decisions without seeking approval first?
   Consider the benefits of giving your team space to make mistakes and encourage them to think through their own process. 

2. How can I create regular check-ins to support their decision-making process?
   Focus on coaching them through learning and growth, not micromanaging or taking over their projects/decisions.

3. What would it take to trust my team fully—mistakes and all?
   Trust is the foundation of empowerment. Reflect on how you can show more trust in your team’s abilities and hold them accountable for bringing their solutions to you, not just the issues that pop up.

If you want your team to make bold decisions, start by trusting them not just to get it right—but also to get it wrong and learn from their experience. It’s through mistakes that they’ll grow and gain confidence. Your trust can be the catalyst for them to leap, experiment, and grow in ways they never imagined.

We’re excited to support your journey with actionable insights and fresh perspectives.

What has worked well for you and your team? We’re just an email away!