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Being a leader means making difficult decisions sometimes. What do you believe is the hardest decision a leader can make?

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Question added by Sarah Ali , Senior Evaluation Specialist , United Nations
Date Posted: 2017/01/09
Duncan Robertson
by Duncan Robertson , Strategy Consultant , Duncan Robertson Consultancy

This is a good question.

Firstly, let us be clear.  Letting somebody go is rarely a difficult decision to make. (The only exception is when firing somebody might lead to the company going bust.)  On the contrary, it is often quite easy.  However, implementing that decision can be achingly difficult. 

An example of a genuinely difficult decision is when there are five or six courses of action open to you.  There is plenty of information available, and adequate time.  A number of intelligent and informed advisors are helping you, and being helpful, but the decision is unequivocally yours.  Of the courses open to you, all except one are certain to lead to the death of your organisation. None of your advisors have a firm view because nobody can foretell the future.  It's your task to decide which path is the right one. 

If the context is military it's even more serious - if you get it wrong, the mission fails and everybody dies.

Mircea David
by Mircea David , Pricing and Volumes Manager , OMV Petrom SA

Definitely, most difficult decision is to terminate somebody's contract, when the only reason behind staff reduction is cost cutting

Mohammed Esaam Qasam
by Mohammed Esaam Qasam , مشرف مبيعات عام , شركة الخمائل العالمية

Thank you for invocation..... I agree with all answers.....

Malik Haider
by Malik Haider , HSE Officer , Arcadis Middle East LLC

I Believe the hardest decision would be letting go off anyone from the team or in the Company.

DR MD ANWAR HOSSAIN
by DR MD ANWAR HOSSAIN , Moderator , bayt.com

Thank you. I agree with experts answer.

Bisma Noureen
by Bisma Noureen , Assistant Manager Customer Relationship , TOYOTA

In depth360 degree review, thorough analysis, prior taking tough decision.

Be responsible, don't regret and stand by what ever decision you have taken (whether right or wrong).

Deleted user
by Deleted user

In general

The most difficult decisionsIs a decision that would apply to the largest possible number of people Hard to please everyone

Ashraf E. Mahmoud (PhD)
by Ashraf E. Mahmoud (PhD) , University Lecturer, Freelancer Consultant and Trainer for Int'l Business & Banking TF. , FreeLancer

Thanks for invitation,

I do believe that the hardest decision is to "excluding" a work team member due to disqualifications. 

Raied Taufiq
by Raied Taufiq , Operation Manager , Petro Canada

it is to terminate an employee who is not showing a  high performance in his job . This decision must be based on engrained in logic, to continued company success, and maintaining a positive work environment. and It is based on actual and annual work evaluations to ensure that it is done professionally and based on a factual assessment of the employee’s performance. 

simon Toyiring
by simon Toyiring , REGIONAL SALES MANAGER NORTH ZONE 1 , FAREAST MERCANTILE NIGERIA LTD

IN AN UNCERTAINTY SITUATIONS WERE ISSUES ARE UNCLEAR,UNPREDICTABLE.THE LEADER IS FORCED TO BRAINSTORM VERY WELL BEFORE ARRIVING AT CONCLUSION.UNPROFESSIONAL ISSUES CAN MAKE THE LEADER TO WIDELY GAIN KNOWLEDGE ON THE PROCEDURES OF  GETTING POSSIBLE OUTCOME THAT MAY LEAD POSITIVE DECISION MAKING.

Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani
by Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani , Snr. HR & Finance Officer , Sarri Zawetta Company

Thanks

I support the answer given by colleague Mircea. 

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