Learn how to cope with adversity and learn from mistakes in your decision-making process. Discover six tips to develop resilience as a leader.

When communicating your decision - communicate the inputs you considered and your mental model. This raises trust and commitment from others. Be willing to revisit in light of new information, otherwise hold steadfast in executing to that effect.

I remember a wise leader once told me "There are very few decisions which cannot be reversed". When you think about it, the reason we fear decision making is because we worry it may be the "wrong decision". This is where adopting a growth mindset is crucial, meaning failure is an opportunity to grow and learn.

How can you develop resilience in your decision-making process?

Decision-making is a crucial skill for leaders, especially in uncertain and complex situations. However, it can also be stressful and challenging, especially when you face resistance, criticism, or failure. How can you develop resilience in your decision-making process, so that you can cope with adversity and learn from your mistakes?

1 Define your goals

Before you make any decision, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why. This will help you to align your actions with your values and vision, and to evaluate your options and outcomes. Having a clear goal also gives you a sense of direction and purpose, which can boost your motivation and confidence. To define your goals, you can use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

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Phillip Van Winkle ⚡️

Conscious Leadership Consultant and Coach | Systems-Based Thinking and Problem Solving | Love Trumps Ego: Mindset Training, Work Culture, Performance Improvement, Sustainable Change | INTJ | Deadhead
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Resilience is developed in your decision-making process by letting go of fear. You will make mistakes. You will not fail if you are learning. The biggest regrets in life are made by not moving forward. Ask the girl out. Jump off the high-dive. Take the BIG leap. Just do it! As you develop more confidence in your ability to learn (aka make mistakes) and your learning process will come quicker, your recovery time diminishes. If you struggle with letting go, don't be afraid to engage with a coach. Sometimes people need a guide to help them get unstuck. Coaching helps validate your path, provides a new perspective, and accelerates your learning process.

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Embrace failures and view them as opportunities for learning. Analyze the outcomes of past decisions, identify areas for improvement, and use that knowledge to make better decisions in the future.

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2 Assess your situation

Once you have your goals, you need to assess your current situation and the factors that influence your decision. This includes gathering relevant information, analyzing data, identifying risks and opportunities, and considering different perspectives and scenarios. By doing this, you can reduce uncertainty and bias, and make more informed and rational choices. You can also use tools such as SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) or decision matrices to help you compare and prioritize your alternatives.

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Adopt a growth mindset that sees challenges as opportunities for growth. Embrace the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.

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3 Commit and act

After you have weighed your options, you need to commit to your decision and act on it. This means communicating your decision clearly and convincingly to others, delegating tasks and responsibilities, and monitoring and adjusting your actions as needed. You also need to be prepared to face challenges, obstacles, and feedback, and to respond flexibly and creatively. To commit and act, you can use the RAPID framework: Recommend, Agree, Perform, Input, Decide.

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Omar Halabieh

Tech Director @ Amazon Payment Services | #1 LinkedIn Arab World Creator in Management & Leadership | Follow me for Daily Insights on Leadership, Management and Career | Mentor
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When communicating your decision - communicate the inputs you considered and your mental model. This raises trust and commitment from others. Be willing to revisit in light of new information, otherwise hold steadfast in executing to that effect.

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Lucy Gernon

I help women in senior corporate leadership become more confident, strategic & impactful with more time to enjoy life⚖️ it’s possible! | Founder 3SIXTY Leaders Club | Executive Coach | Podcast Host🎙️Seen Forbes | Mam x3
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I remember a wise leader once told me "There are very few decisions which cannot be reversed". When you think about it, the reason we fear decision making is because we worry it may be the "wrong decision". This is where adopting a growth mindset is crucial, meaning failure is an opportunity to grow and learn.

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Work on developing your self-confidence. Trust in your abilities and judgment, and recognize that it's natural to encounter setbacks. Confidence can help you stay resilient in the face of challenges.

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4 Reflect and learn

The final step in your decision-making process is to reflect on your results and learn from your experience. This means evaluating your outcomes against your goals, identifying what worked well and what didn't, and seeking feedback from others. You also need to acknowledge your emotions, cope with stress, and celebrate your achievements. By reflecting and learning, you can improve your skills, knowledge, and attitude, and develop a growth mindset that embraces challenges and failures as opportunities to grow.

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Actively seek feedback on your decisions from trusted colleagues, mentors, or peers. Constructive feedback provides valuable insights and alternative perspectives that can enhance your decision-making resilience.

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5 Build your support network

One of the best ways to develop resilience in your decision-making process is to build a strong support network of people who can help you along the way. This includes mentors, coaches, peers, friends, and family who can offer you advice, guidance, encouragement, and feedback. You can also learn from their experiences, perspectives, and insights, and share your own with them. By building your support network, you can foster trust, collaboration, and mutual learning, and reduce isolation and stress.

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Cultivate emotional intelligence to better understand and manage your own emotions as well as those of others. This emotional awareness can help you make decisions with composure, even in high-pressure situations.

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6 Practice regularly

The last tip to develop resilience in your decision-making process is to practice regularly. This means applying the steps and tools mentioned above to different situations and challenges that you encounter in your personal and professional life. By practicing regularly, you can enhance your decision-making skills, build your confidence and competence, and develop a habit of resilience. You can also seek feedback from others and yourself, and use it to improve your performance and progress.

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Incorporate mindfulness practices into your routine. Mindfulness can enhance your ability to stay present, focus on the current situation, and make decisions without being overly influenced by stress or anxiety.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Kapil Mahajan

Human Possibilities ! LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice ! Business & People Leader ! HR Leader Of Year - ET HCA ! Story Teller ! Culture Architect ! NLP Expert
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Anticipate potential challenges and develop contingency plans. Having alternative strategies in place can provide a safety net and increase your confidence in making decisions, knowing that you have considered various scenarios.

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How can you develop resilience in your decision-making process?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your goals

2 Assess your situation

3 Commit and act

4 Reflect and learn

5 Build your support network

6 Practice regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Leadership Development

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How can you develop resilience in your decision-making process?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your goals

2 Assess your situation

3 Commit and act

4 Reflect and learn

5 Build your support network

6 Practice regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Leadership Development

Rate this article

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