3 ways to know your leadership decision was timely

Scott Cochrane Aug. 12, 2021

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In leadership, the power of a decision is found in getting the call right, even more so in getting the timing of the call right.

The right decision, made at the wrong time, can be worse than no decision at all.

Making the decision too soon

Can a good decision be derailed because it was made too soon? Absolutely.

You might decide it's time for a shake-up in the organization, and so you announce a new change to the organization chart. It might be the right decision. But if you make the call before you've brought the team through a season of consultation, the whole thing could blow up in your face.

You might decide to make a fundamental shift in the direction of the organization. And it might be the right decision. But if you make the call before test-flying the concept among key stake-holders, it might be a move that garners no support among these core influencers.

Making the decision too late

Can a good decision be derailed because it was made too late? Absolutely.

You might decide to remove a member of the team because the person has consistently violated team values. It might be the right decision. But if you make the call long after the person has inflicted serious damage to your team's culture, it could come at the cost of a healthy team culture.

You might decide to cut costs in order to improve your organization's chances of avoiding a financial loss. It might be the right decision. But if you make the call well past the time when it can make any meaningful impact to the bottom line, it might be a classic case of 'too little, too late.'

Make the decision on time

There is no magic formula for getting this right. But effective leaders navigate the issue of timing by asking questions like this:

• Do I have the necessary information to make a sound call?
• Have I taken the time to get the key stakeholders on board?
• Are there any external factors that need special attention?

Use such questions go guide the timing on your next key decision.

Because getting the decision right really matters. And getting the timing of the decision right just might matter even more.

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Scott Cochrane serves on the executive team for the Willow Creek Association, as Vice President, International Ministries. He was born and raised in Canada, where he became connected to the Willow Creek Association, first as a marketing director and later as the ministry’s Chief Operating Officer. Following a five-year stint as Executive Pastor of a large church, Scott returned to Willow Creek Canada in 2009 as Executive Director, and in 2012 relocated to Illinois to take up his current post with the Willow Creek Association. Learn More »

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