A Leader's Keys for Decision-Taking

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Decisiveness is truly the greatest attribute of a leader. If you are a leader, you will face up to realities and take important decisions. NOTE: Failure to take a decision is failure to lead.

Keys for Decision-Taking (contd)
3. A leader considers the consequences of failing to take a decision.

Abraham was very close to his nephew Lot. One day he had to face the painful reality that his nephew's presence in his life was causing more harm than good. Being a good leader, he took the decision and separated from his nephew. The consequence of failing to take this decision would have been strife; and it was not worth it.

'And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.' (Genesis 13:8, 9)

Notice that it was after this decision that God gave him specifications of the lands and blessings that were his.

'And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him…'

(Genesis 13:14)
4. A leader moves quickly when all the relevant information has come in.

Do not take decisions based on scanty information. You will make disastrous mistakes when you do that. Solomon was advised by his father to get rid of Joab. The only information that Solomon needed was his father's instruction. Joab was someone who had disobeyed David on several occasions. David asked Solomon to eliminate Joab.

'…let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.' (1 Kings 2:6)

When the opportunity presented itself, Solomon executed Joab. When the information came in, Solomon took the decision to immediately execute Joab. David also asked Solomon to deal with Shimei. Shimei was someone who cursed King David when he was running away from Absalom.

'…thou hast with thee Shimei… hold him not guiltless…' (1 Kings 2:8, 9)

You will notice that after Solomon fulfilled his father's instructions the kingdom of Israel became established under his rule. The decisiveness of Solomon at the beginning of his reign took him very far.

'…And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.' (1 Kings 2:46)

Because Solomon was decisive, his kingdom was established. Once the information came in, he took the decision and implemented it.

5. A leader implements decisions that have been taken.

Solomon asked Shimei not to cross the brook Kidron. He told Shimei that if he crossed the brook, that would be his last day on earth. When the information came that Shimei had crossed the boundary, Solomon implemented the hard decision that he had already taken. The decisiveness of Solomon was at work.

6. A leader surrounds himself with godly people who give good advice.

Don't make the mistake of Rehoboam.
'…And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 'Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee…'

And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, 'How do ye advise that I may answer this people?' And they spake unto him, saying, 'If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever.' But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him…

And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, 'Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions…' (1 Kings 12:1-16)

By Dag Heward-Mills
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