The Art of Leadership Decision-Making: Why How You Decide Matters

Kristine Goebel
Jun 30
3 min read

Strong leaders aren’t just good at making decisions; they’re skilled at making decisions, often under pressure and with incomplete information. Great leadership goes beyond the outcome. It lies in the process: the ability to analyze situations, weigh options, and communicate choices in a way that aligns the team and strengthens the organization.

And at the center of that process? The mission, vision, and core values.

The Compass for Every Choice

In fast-moving environments, the temptation is to make decisions based on speed, emotion, or immediate pressure. Effective leaders resist that urge. They use the organization’s mission, vision, and core values as a compass, ensuring that every choice reflects the bigger picture.

Mission clarifies purpose—why we exist.
Vision defines the future we’re working toward.
Core values shape how we act along the way.

When leaders tie decisions back to these foundational elements, they build consistency, credibility, and alignment. The team isn’t just executing a decision; they understand why it matters.

When Two Leaders Disagree

Two leaders in disagreement can go one of two ways: innovation or destruction. If there are two leaders in your organization who are different, it can be a great thing! When we learn how to embrace our differences and move forward together, amazing momentum takes place.

It can be a challenge when two leaders are trying to make a decision that impacts the entire organization, especially when they are different and don't see eye to eye. But here’s when the breakthrough happens: you must decide that for every big decision, one person will be ultimately responsible for the final call.

That person may change depending on the decision. If one is great with people and one is great with tasks, recognize that and don’t force someone to be different, lean into what they’re great at and start there. Once there is clarity on who has the final say, everything will shift. Identify your respective areas of expertise, and take personal responsibility for the decisions entrusted to you. It isn’t about control—it is about clarity, trust, and mutual respect. The team will respond with increased trust and more freedom to make decisions for themselves.

Why Transparent Decision-Making Matters

It’s not enough to make the right call. Your team needs to understand how you arrived at it.

Too often, leaders make decisions in isolation, missing a crucial opportunity to teach. When decision-making is done behind closed doors, it creates confusion, erodes trust, and leaves the team ill-equipped to take initiative. On the other hand, when you bring others into the why, you:

Build trust. People are more likely to support what they understand, even if they disagree.
Develop leadership capacity. Explaining your process shows others how to think through similar situations.
Strengthen culture. Decisions grounded in mission, vision, and values reinforce the organization’s identity.

Turning Decisions Into Teachable Moments

Here’s how to make your decision-making both strategic and instructional:

Start with the foundation. Ask: Does this support our mission? Move us closer to our vision? Reflect our values? If not, it’s a red flag.
Clarify ownership. Know who is making the final call and why. This brings focus and accountability, especially in a leadership team.
Invite input early. Engaging your team in the thinking process doesn’t mean you’re indecisive. It means you’re inclusive and thoughtful.
Explain the “why.” Let people see the reasoning, not just the result.
Reflect and adapt. Decisions are a chance to learn. Make space for reflection, even when the outcome isn’t perfect.

Leading So Others Can Lead

Ultimately, strong leadership decision-making is about more than solving today’s problem. It’s about preparing others to lead tomorrow.

When you make decisions grounded in values—and communicate your thought process clearly—you’re building a culture of trust, ownership, and learning. You’re showing your team not just what to do, but how to think. And when the day comes that you're not in the room, they'll know how to lead in alignment with the mission, the vision, and the values that matter most.