5 decision-making habits that will fast-track your leadership career (and keep you ahead of the curve)

You’re great at solving problems. You tackle bugs, optimize code, and deliver projects on time. But now, you’re stepping into a new role—one that requires more than just technical skills. You’re moving into leadership, and that means one thing: making strategic decisions.

Strategic decision-making is what sets leaders apart. It’s not about quick fixes or short-term gains. It’s about thinking long-term, considering the bigger picture, and making choices that drive success for your team and company.

Let's break down how to make strategic decisions that get results. Let’s get into it.

1. Understand the Bigger Picture

The first step in making strategic decisions is understanding the bigger picture. As an emerging leader, you need to see beyond the code. It’s about knowing your company’s vision, goals, and how your team fits into that.

Start by asking:

• What impact will this decision have on the long-term success of the business?
• How does our project align with these goals?
• What are the company’s top priorities?

When you understand the bigger picture, you can make decisions that move the needle. You’re not just solving a problem—you’re contributing to the company’s overall success.

Pro Tip: Schedule regular check-ins with your manager or other leaders to stay aligned with the company’s strategic goals. The more you understand, the better your decisions will be.

2. Evaluate All Options

As a coder, you’re used to finding the most efficient solution to a problem. But as a leader, it’s not just about efficiency—it’s about making the best possible decision.

That means evaluating all your options. Don’t just go with the first idea that comes to mind. Take the time to explore different paths, weigh the pros and cons, and consider the potential risks and rewards.

Ask yourself:

• What are the short-term and long-term impacts of each option?
• What could go wrong, and how can we mitigate those risks?
• What are all the possible solutions?

The best decision isn’t always the easiest or quickest one. It’s the one that aligns with your goals and delivers the most value over time.

Pro Tip: Use a decision matrix to evaluate your options. List the criteria that matter most, and score each option based on those criteria. This will help you make a more informed choice.

3. Involve Your Team

Leadership isn’t about making decisions in isolation. It’s about involving your team, gathering input, and leveraging the collective expertise around you.

When you involve your team in the decision-making process, you’re not only making better decisions—you’re also building trust, fostering collaboration, and empowering your team members to contribute to the success of the project.

Start by:

• Asking for input from team members with different perspectives.
• Considering the impact of your decision on each team member.
• Encouraging open discussions and brainstorming sessions.

Remember, the best decisions are often made when everyone has a voice. As a leader, it’s your job to listen, guide the conversation, and make the final call.

Pro Tip: In team meetings, ask specific questions to draw out different perspectives. This helps ensure that all angles are considered before a decision is made.

4. Think Long-Term

It’s easy to get caught up in the immediate needs of a project. But as a leader, you need to think long-term. What will this decision mean for your team, your project, and your company down the road?

Strategic decisions are those that create value not just today, but in the future. They’re decisions that position your team and company for long-term success.

Ask yourself:

• Are we building something sustainable, or are we just putting out fires?
• How will this decision impact our goals 6 months from now?
• Will it set us up for future growth?

Thinking long-term is about being proactive rather than reactive. It’s about making choices that lead to lasting success, even if they’re more challenging in the short term.

Pro Tip: Before making a decision, map out the potential long-term scenarios. Consider the best and worst-case outcomes, and plan for both.

5. Be Decisive, But Flexible

Once you’ve gathered all the information, evaluated your options, and involved your team, it’s time to make a decision. As a leader, decisiveness is key. But so is flexibility.

Strategic leaders know that decisions often need to be made quickly. But they also know that being too rigid can be a downfall. The ability to adapt and pivot when new information arises is crucial.

When making a decision:

• Communicate the decision and what led you to that decision with your team.
• Be confident in your choice, but stay open to feedback.
• Monitor the results and always be ready to adjust.

Decisiveness shows leadership, but flexibility ensures that your decisions remain the right ones as circumstances change.

Pro Tip: After making a decision, set checkpoints to review its effectiveness. If it’s not working out, don’t be afraid to make adjustments.

Making strategic decisions isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about creating value, driving long-term success, and leading your team with confidence.

Remember, the key to strategic decision-making is understanding the bigger picture, evaluating all your options, involving your team, thinking long-term, and being both decisive and flexible.

These are the decisions that will set you apart as a leader.

Cheers,
Gábor