In the world of executive leadership, decisiveness is essential. Yet even accomplished women leaders can struggle with indecision or risk their credibility by frequently reversing decisions.
That’s why today, I’m sharing strategies to help you win the battle of indecisiveness so you can be a more effective leader and make tough decisions with clarity and conviction.
The Cost of Indecision
Hesitation doesn’t just delay outcomes—it undermines trust. Teams want clarity, and markets reward conviction. Reversing decisions erodes authority and stalls momentum. The most effective leaders know that perfect information is a myth—waiting too long means opportunities are missed.
“Leadership isn’t about getting every decision right. It’s about making timely, value-aligned choices, communicating them clearly, and being open to change when needed.”
Tools for Decisive Leadership
If you find yourself hesitating too often, these strategies can help:
1. Define Your Core Values
Many decisions feel difficult because of unclear priorities. Establish your personal and professional non-negotiables. When uncertain, ask: “Which option aligns with my values?” This simplifies choices and filters out noise.
2. Set Decision Deadlines
Avoid analysis paralysis by assigning a deadline to important decisions. Stick to it. The more you practice, the stronger your decision-making will become.
3. Use the 70% Rule
You rarely need 100% certainty. When you have about 70% of the information, it’s usually time to decide. Trust your instincts and experience to guide the rest.
4. Know What’s Reversible
Not every decision is make-or-break. For low-stakes or reversible choices, prioritize speed over perfection. For bigger ones, take the necessary time—but commit to a decision.
5. Build a Decision Board
Choose a few trusted advisors who understand your goals and values. Use them to check blind spots and gain clarity—not to make decisions for you, but to reinforce your own confidence.
Decisiveness vs. Flexibility
Decisive leaders aren’t rigid. True leadership means knowing when to stay the course and when to adapt thoughtfully. As Jill Howell of NETA puts it: “Strong leaders aren’t afraid to act quickly—but they’re just as willing to shift when new data emerges. The difference between a respected executive and an uncertain manager isn’t perfect decision-making—it’s confidence and transparency.”
The Bottom Line
For women juggling career, family, and personal fulfillment, indecision can be costly. The most successful don’t avoid tough choices—they develop systems to navigate them with clarity and conviction. Leadership isn’t about getting every decision right. It’s about making timely, value-aligned choices, communicating them clearly and being open to change when needed. That’s not flip-flopping, it’s true leadership.
Nicole Hudson, is the Founder of Hudson Collective, an integrated digital strategy and communications firm creating social impact by activating their communities through branding, storytelling, and expanding their engagement with a robust online presence. Hudson’s strategies are driven to deliver compelling messages and a suite of business tactics that engage, inform and influence audiences to action that creates lasting impact.
