Leadership podcast hosts Trevor Robinson and Jack Nehlig share practical experience about decision making under pressure, focusing on strategies for managers, supervisors, and anyone looking to grow as a leader. In this episode, they cover grounding decisions in company purpose, owning the risk of being wrong, and choosing timely action over hesitation. These principles offer steady guidance when tough choices arise at work.
Aligning Decisions with Company Purpose
Decision making under pressure can feel overwhelming. Jack Nehlig encourages leaders to first step back and look at the bigger picture. He suggests, "the first thing you want to do is step way back from the decision, get yourself oriented around this decision and how it affects the vision, mission and purpose of the company" (00:02:50). When decisions are anchored in organizational goals, it helps filter out distractions and brings focus to what truly matters. This way, teams feel confident that choices are made thoughtfully and are in line with the company's direction, especially when the stakes are high.
Owning the Risk and Preparing for Failure
Tough calls often include doubt and uncertainty. Jack Nehlig reminds listeners that it is normal for these moments to feel uncomfortable. He reassures, "it's not going to always feel right... that's what you're paid for, is to make the tough decision" (00:02:22). Rather than worry about being perfect, it is better to be open about possible outcomes and plan for backup options. Inviting your team to think ahead and develop damage control plans builds resilience and trust. Trevor Robinson adds that meaningful leadership comes from careful process, not just on perfect results. He recalls valuable advice that, "you're a great decision maker… not based on the results that you have on the decisions, but through the process and the due diligence that you take" (00:11:22). This way, leaders learn from every decision and set the tone for a culture of learning.
Acting Quickly and Avoiding Decision Paralysis
While analysis is important, waiting too long for every piece of information can stall progress and drain energy. Jack Nehlig shares, "just kills people's momentum, their motivation. The problem gets worse... Fast is always better" (00:13:52). He recommends avoiding endless cycles of requests for more data. Instead, once you have what you need, set a deadline and choose. His "one more rule" is simple: after asking for one final key piece of information, make the decision and move ahead. This helps the team stay engaged and prevents frustration.
Key Quote From The Episode
"You're a great decision maker… not based on the results that you have on the decisions, but through the process and the due diligence that you take." – Trevor Robinson, 00:11:22
Key Takeaways
(00:02:50) Anchor big decisions to the company vision and mission.
(00:02:22, 00:11:22) Embrace the risk, be transparent, and focus on a solid, thoughtful process.
(00:13:52) Timely action keeps your team motivated and moves the organization forward.
Wrap Up
When you connect decisions to your company's purpose, prepare for both good and bad outcomes, and commit to decisive action, you are set up for effective leadership even when the pressure is high. Anyone facing crucial decisions can benefit from reviewing key goals, sharing responsibility and planning with their team, and setting clear deadlines to avoid delays. A few easy steps to take: Before making a tough choice, review how it fits with company goals. Always have a backup plan ready with your team for those decisions with higher risk. Try Jack Nehlig's "one more rule." Gather the last essential information you need, then decide without delay.