Leaders are called to many tasks ... and those come in all shapes and sizes. One huge task that we have to make though are the tough, and difficult decisions and talks that well, are not popular or you know will disappoint others.
A good leader makes the tough and unpopular decisions when he knows it is the best course of action ... even if people will get hurt.
There are many ways to go about this, and over time, I've probably swung from one end of the spectrum (not wanting to make a decision at all) to the other (making the tough decision and just being callous about it wanting to get it out of the way). Either way, people get hurt more... and I have learned that there is a better way ... that is the way of compassion.
Compassion is defined as "a deep awareness and sympathy for another person's suffering". For those of you who are Christian (and I say this only because I am and cannot speak for other religions), you know this well, because this is taught from the very early stages of religious teaching. To act with compassion is to consider another person's suffering as if it was your own.
I have found that to speak or deliver bad news ... make the tough decision as early as possible ... can be done with compassion, and doing so makes it easier for you and the person who is on the receiving end of the difficult decision. Making tough decisions is not easy and it probably never will be. Honestly, I prefer it that way. I ought to worry when making tough decisions becomes an ordinary event. I wouldn't want to ever be that way.
The key to being able to do this, for me at least, is quiet. Remove yourself from the noise, to an extent, isolate yourself and meditate. Spend the time and effort necessary to go through the impact of your decisions, so that when you actually deliver the sad news, you speak sincerely with compassion, and are better prepared to act and accept the response from the other side.
Some guiding thoughts...
Have a great day!
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