My former Financial Director was a broken record: “Cash is King.”
I’ve even come across accountants who took it to the next level—tattooed on the arm for life. That’s not just loyalty; it’s belief etched in the skin, a daily reminder where their priorities lie.
For them, those words are more than office banter. It’s their compass in chaos, a guiding light when the numbers blur and the pressure’s on.
As a decision coach, I’ve often asked myself: what’s the mantra for those of us in the business of decisions? Something that cuts through noise, stays sharp under pressure, and doesn’t fade when things get tough. It has to be simple—something you’d almost want tattooed. Maybe not literally, but you get my drift.
Time and again, I’ve seen that decisiveness makes or breaks leaders. When leaders decide, people trust them. Indecision just breeds confusion and doubt.
Why is decisiveness so hard? In my experience, it nearly always comes back to one thing—a lack of clarity. Clarity about the facts, the goal, or what needs to happen next.
Here’s a case in point:
A supervisor could work overtime, adding 25% more hours. More hours meant more pay, but not more results. It was Parkinson’s law in full view of everyone. Payroll costs rose, but productivity stayed flat.
The problem? No one was clear about the real goal—sales growth. The incentive rewarded time, not results.
We changed the scheme to reward sales, not just hours. Suddenly, the goal was clear. The supervisor focused, and for once, payroll matched progress. No more busywork—just results.
So, my mantra for decision-making? I’ll borrow from my Finance Director, but make it my own:
Clarity is King.
I won’t get it tattooed. But when a tough decision lands on my desk, I ask:
What am I really trying to achieve? Have I made success crystal clear?
Next time you’re facing a wall, try this:
Sort the clarity, and the right decisions will follow.
