Making good decisions at a time of high stress.

This might seem like a departure from the usual business at Shadow Wood but it is a topic that has been close to my heart for the last year or so. It has been interesting to see how decisions have been made by world leaders and others in power over the last few months. This is not a political post, personally I am not strongly aligned to any group. I do trust in skilled people making sensible decisions for the good of the majority, when I see them, they will get my vote.

I’m really interested in how our leaders (business, politics, social groups, religious – even alpaca organisations!) find calm and clarity to make complex and responsible decisions when under pressure. It seems simple to say, but having been inside a high stress situation or two, I really appreciate those leaders who see through all the ‘politics’, aggression, lies, protests, side issues, genuine disagreement and so on, to persevere and chart a course that is sound.

Having an important sounding title (CEO, Prime Minister, President, Director etc) does not make you a leader.

Sometimes what’s good, right, truthful, will get buried by lies and aggression – sometimes it won’t.

Support a good leader wherever you find them, whether it’s sports, politics, business or your local club etc.

How do you recognise a good leader? A true leader will not need to tell you how trustworthy they are, how honest they are, hardworking etc.– they will just deliver quality results, not the …….. ‘this result would have been better if it weren’t for ….........’ kind, but getting the best result possible despite the situation, politics, etc. Then they’ll thank everyone else involved and quietly move on to the next thing. You won’t find them telling everyone how great they are for doing stuff all.

Just my opinion, based on life’s lessons.

Frith