How Can Leaders Make Better Decisions?

By leadership author and keynote speaker Ross Shafer

At the core of effective leadership lies one critical skill: decision-making. Every day, leaders are tasked with making dozens—sometimes hundreds—of decisions that influence their teams, their organizations, and their bottom line. But the best leaders don’t just react; they premeditate.

Good decisions aren’t made on the fly. They’re prepared in advance, so when the pressure is high or a crisis hits, great leaders don’t panic—they act with clarity, confidence, and control.

Great Leaders Pre-Plan Their Responses

If you’ve ever watched an NFL game, you’ve seen this principle in action. Coaches stand on the sidelines with laminated play sheets that outline responses for every possible scenario. Quarterbacks wear wristbands with abbreviated strategies so they can make instant, informed decisions based on how the defense is lined up.

Why do they do this? Because high-stakes decisions are too important to leave to improvisation.

Similarly, great business leaders develop their own playbooks. They anticipate challenges and rehearse how they’ll respond long before those problems arise. When you prepare this way, you’re never caught off guard—and you always look smart, calm, and capable in front of your stakeholders and team.

Become the AI of Your Own Organization

Think of yourself like an AI assistant—like Siri or IBM’s Watson. These systems don’t guess; they rely on massive databases of potential questions and preprogrammed responses. As a leader, you should build your own internal database of decisions and outcomes.

Start by asking yourself (and other seasoned leaders):

• What tough decisions have I had to make in the past?

• What unexpected issues have blindsided my peers?

• What recurring problems demand consistent responses?

Create a running list of potential crises, obstacles, or operational breakdowns. Examples might include:

• What if a team member leaks confidential information on social media?

• What’s the protocol if a major shipment is delayed or canceled?

• How will you respond to public-facing mistakes or bad press?

You don’t have to memorize it all—keep notes in your phone or in a shared decision-making document you can reference quickly.

Don’t Overthink—Decide and Move On

Once you make a decision, stick to it. Avoid the trap of second-guessing or endlessly rehashing your choices. Even if a decision isn’t popular, if it’s rooted in facts and forethought, trust yourself.

Jim Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape (which he sold to AOL for $4.2 billion), had a famously simple approach to leadership decisions. His Three Rules of Business offer timeless wisdom:

1. If you see a snake, kill it.

2. Don’t play with dead snakes.

3. All opportunities start out looking like snakes.

In short: Take action, don’t dwell, and learn to see opportunity in uncertainty.

Final Thought: Smart Decisions Aren’t Reactive—They’re Intentional

The difference between average leaders and exceptional ones comes down to preparation. When you pre-meditate your decisions, you don’t just solve problems—you inspire trust, reduce chaos, and drive results. Whether you’re facing everyday challenges or once-in-a-career crises, the best leaders aren’t guessing. They’re ready. They’re decisive. And most importantly—they’re respected for it.

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Ready to Elevate Decision-Making Across Your Organization?

Want your leaders to stop reacting and start leading with intention? Want to arm your team with the confidence to make bold, smart decisions even under pressure? Book Ross Shafer as your keynote speaker. With decades of experience helping Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, and government agencies build emotionally intelligent leaders, Ross delivers dynamic, entertaining, and transformational keynotes.

Hire Ross Shafer for your next conference, retreat, or executive training. Great decision-making doesn’t happen by accident—it starts with the right speaker.