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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CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - InsertB
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CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Cover3
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