CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 51

perspectives he gathered, even though perfect decision? I would say no.
the decision ultimately rested

Not making a decision is worse than

with him.

making a bad decision. I will put a

To this day, I gather input from as

stake in the ground, and if it turns out

many people as I can before I make a

to be wrong, I'll apologize and correct

choice. It's no silver bullet for decision

it. Leaders take ownership of their

making, but it does lead to better

decisions. And if it turns out to be the

outcomes, though I'm careful never

right decision, I will give credit to my

to take this to an extreme. I don't

team because we worked together to

want to end up in a state of "analysis

achieve the results.

paralysis." I've seen certain leaders

Another lesson I've learned is to

discuss options endlessly. If you're

honor the past. It is often easy to look

afraid of making a decision, then just

If you're afraid of
making a decision, then
just pass the decision
on to somebody else.
Don't keep delaying it
by discussing it over
and over.

back and judge a decision as good or

pass the decision on to somebody else. bad, but I would argue there is limited
Don't keep delaying it by discussing it

value in judging past decisions. It

over and over.

is far better to assume that people

When I moved to a larger company,

made the best decision they could

my director and CTO would

with the information they had at the

sometimes ask me if I was sure I had

time. By taking this approach, leaders

all the information I needed to make

demonstrate that blaming isn't useful;

a decision. I always told them I had

what's important is building the path

enough good information to do so.

that leads you forward. Clearly, the

Could I have gotten 100 percent of

past is worthy of review so that we

the necessary information? I don't

can all learn and grow, but doing the

know if you can even define 100

review in a positive and constructive

percent, but even if you could, would

manner is what is critical.

the added information produce the

Six Leadership Lessons from Prakash Upadhyayula
*	 Get as Much Input as You Can. When faced with a decision,
collect as many varied perspectives as you can on the topic.
*	 No	Decision	Is	Worse	than	a	Bad	Decision. While input is
important, don't gather data forever. Make a timely decision
on the best available information.
*	 Be Accountable, but Give Credit. If you make a bad decision,
admit it, correct it, and move on. If you make a good decision,
praise your team.

*	 Don't	Go	to	the	Meeting. If you and your reports are attending
the same business meetings, you're doing it wrong. Let them
go without you.
*	 Listen	to	What	People	Don't	Say. Whether you're talking to a
business unit head or an employee on the front line, pay close
attention to the things they don't tell you.
*	 Honor	the	Past. Assume positive intent from previous leaders,
and focus on learning from the past to forge a better future.

CIO Straight Talk | 51



CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6

Contents
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Cover1
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Contents
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 3
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 4
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 5
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 6
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CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - InsertA
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