30 Questions For All Leaders

30 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making Major Decisions[1]

NOTE: These questions will help in every situation to bring clarity to the real issues and to minimize the emotional impact. Leadership demands clarity to make the tough choices under pressure. These questions are designed to save hundreds of wasted hours of low productivity and thousands of dollars spent needlessly. These questions can be used as a checklist.

1. In one sentence what is the real decision we are facing? What is the bottom, bottom line?
2. What facts do we need before we can make this decision with total confidence?
3. What trends, changes, or problems are behind the need for this change? How long will these continue to be a factor?
4. Are we dealing with a cause or symptom?
5. What does the Bible say about this situation?
6. Am I thinking about this situation with a clear head, or am I fatigued to the point that I should not be making this decision at this time?
7. What would the ideal solution be in this situation?
8. Should we seek outside counsel in making this decision?
9. What are the hidden agendas that are “pushing” for a decision in this situation? Why do “we” or “they” want a change? What is the source of the emotional fuel that is driving this decision?
10. If I had to decide in the next two minutes…what decision would I make, and why?
11. What decision would I expect each of my three most respected advisors to favor in this situation?
12. Can an overall decision in this situation be broken up into parts, “sub-decisions” made at a few “go/no go” points along the way?
13. What are the key assumptions in our thinking that underlie the decision that we are leaning toward? What do we assume it will really cost? What do we assume will be its real benefits?
14. Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? How much?
15. Have we given ourselves twenty-four hours to let this decision settle in our minds?
16. What differences will this decision make a year from now? Five years? Twenty years? A hundred years?
17. Is this decision consistent with our values in the past, or does it mark a change in direction or standards?
18. How will this decision affect our overall Master Plan? Will it sidetrack us?
19. Will this decision help maximize our key strengths?
20. Have we verified what the results have been for others who have made similar decision in similar circumstances? Have we checked this thoroughly?
21. How do we really feel about his decision?
22. Is this the decision that we would make if our budget was twice as large as it is? Half as large? Five times as large? One-tenth as large? Is it the same decision we would make if we had twice as many staff members? Half as many?
23. What would happen if we did not carry out this decision?
24. If we did not carry it out, what would be the best three alternative decisions?
25. Is this the best timing for carrying out this decision? If not, why not? And when?
26. Is this decision truly appropriate in scope and size to the situation we face? Are we possibly hunting an elephant with a BB gun, or a rabbit with a cannon?
27. As I pray about this decision, and look at it from God’s perspective, do I have a sense of peace about it?
28. How do our families feel about this decision? How will it affect them?
29. What questions still linger in our minds? What aspects of the situation will not be resolved or solved by this decision?
30. Should we write a policy about this decision to guide us in similar situations in the future?

Prepared by: Dr Garry L. Brackett

Shepherds Advantage Inc.

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[1] Bobb Biehl & Tedd W. Engstrom. Increasing Your Boardroom Confidence. (Questar: Sisters, Oregon) 1988.