Successful leadership requires the ability to make good decisions, day in and day out, whether done individually, or as part of a larger group that may or may not report to you.  Research has shown that individuals and groups in any organization, no matter how simple or sophisticated, are most effective when they go through these five stages in order: 

1. What is the real issue?  How are you defining it?  This sounds easy, but often times people have different assumptions about the problem you’re trying to solve.
2. Once you’re clear on the question, what are the options, or various ways you might approach the question, solve the problem, or seize the opportunity?  Depending on the complexity of the problem, you may want to first consider identifying the stakeholders, and looking at the underlying causes or issues that are contributing to the problem you’re trying to solve.
3. Evaluate the options, and choose what you consider to be the best.
4. Create an action plan on how you can best implement that option, and make changes according to the action plan.
5. Finally, decide how you will assess whether the answer to the question is successful.  Monitor and measure progress, and if you have not achieved your goals, review and consider revising the action plan.

Cover each step and have a clear answer to each one before you proceed to the next.  Here’s to your success!