Make the Call and Move Forward
How Great Leaders Get Unstuck
Hi everyone, Emily here. Last time I wrote about how follow-through builds trust. That final flick of the wrist on a game winning shot! The follow-through gives the ball direction, power, and accuracy. So now, let’s rewind a bit, because before the shot comes the decision to take it. That’s where a lot of us (me included) get stuck.
Why Do We Treat Every Decision Like It's Permanent?
You know the feeling:
Circling a decision for the fifth time
Asking for just one more input
Avoiding the email, the meeting, the “no” you don’t want to say
We convince ourselves we’re being thoughtful, strategic, and responsible; however, often, we’re just stuck.
And you know what - Most decisions aren’t final, but we treat them like they are.
Jeff Bezos coined the idea of:
Type 1 Decisions – high-stakes, irreversible, one-way doors
Type 2 Decisions – low-stakes, reversible, easy to adjust
Here’s the kicker, most of our daily leadership decisions are Type 2, BUT we treat them all like Type 1.
So… we delay, overthink, and slow momentum (don’t worry, I’m calling myself out, too).
What’s Really at Risk?
This is something I’ve had to work on, constantly.
If left to my own devices, I’ll keep asking for more information… even when I already know the decision I’m going to make. Especially when the answer is no—I dread saying it.
I’ve caught myself stalling, not because I need more clarity, but because I’m uncomfortable with the emotional weight of the decision.
Here’s what I find helps me:
→ I commit up front to what I actually need to know.
→ Once I have that, I make the call.
This is still hard. I’m someone who deeply values relationships and I worry:
Will this hurt the trust we’ve built? I’ve learned that hesitation is emotional and it’s human, but it doesn’t get to be the driver.
If you’re honest, clear, and direct, people may not always agree, but they’ll respect that you made the decision.
The Science: Why Flexibility Beats Perfection
We often assume more data = better decisions. But research shows otherwise.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls it the Paradox of Choice: too many options leads to decision fatigue, second-guessing, and worse outcomes. In a study published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, researchers found that speed and confidence in decision-making correlated with higher perceived leadership effectiveness, even when decisions weren’t perfect. Another study from Columbia University found that people make up to 70 decisions per day—and cognitive overload can impair our ability to distinguish between high and low stakes choices.
So how do we get better?
We train cognitive flexibility, which is our brain’s ability to shift gears, change direction, and make decisions in uncertain or complex environments.
Flexible leaders:
Make quicker, more grounded decisions
Recover faster from setbacks
Adapt more easily to change
Are more open to innovation and feedback
And just like follow-through, this isn’t a personality trait—it’s a trainable skill.
Try This: A 4-Step Reset to Get Unstuck
If you’re circling a decision right now, here’s how to break the cycle:
Step 1: Name the Decision
Be specific. “Do I move forward with the new hire?” is better than “HR stuff.”
Step 2: Classify It
Is this a Type 1 (irreversible) or Type 2 (reversible) decision?
Step 3: Decide the Mission Critical Data Upfront
Write it down and be honest. What’s the minimum input needed to make a smart call? Then commit: Once I have this, I will decide.
Step 4: Set a Timer
When you hit your input goal, give yourself 3 minutes. That’s it. Make the call. No more circling.
You don’t need the perfect plan—just your next right step.
The Cost of Staying Stuck
We talk a lot about the risk of bad decisions, but the bigger risk is No Decision!
When you stay stuck - Trust erodes, momentum dies, energy drains, and your teams lose clarity and confidence. Also, ironically, the longer you delay, the more important the decision feels—even if it was never that high-stakes to begin with.
You don’t need to move fast; you just need to move forward. Clarity rarely comes from more thinking, it comes from doing.
Final Thought
Leadership isn’t about flawless decisions. It’s about courageous, clear, and timely ones.
So, if you’re stuck right now, ask yourself:
👉 What’s really at risk?
👉 What’s the smallest, clearest step forward?
👉 Am I delaying because I need more data—or because I don’t want to feel uncomfortable?
The people you lead don’t need you to be perfect, but they do need you to be decisive. They need to trust you’ll make the call, even when it’s hard.
If it’s not perfect…you’ll pivot. That’s leadership too!
You’ve got this. Now, go change the world - Emily