Decision-making isn’t easy, especially in today’s complex and disruptive environment. Learn how to navigate using these 15 pieces of advice.

1. Go beyond+
good decisions
15 pieces of great advice on
making tough decisions

2. Decision-making isn’t easy. Especially in today’s complex
and disruptive environment. That’s why we must go beyond
our comfort zone to make decisions quickly and confidently.
We recently asked members to share their best advice on
making tough decisions. Here’s a sampling of their
suggestions.

3. “Not making a decision IS making a
decision.”
Chad Kisner, CPA, Partner, Childers & Steagall, PLC
“You can’t be afraid to fail. You won’t always be right, but
not making a decision IS making a decision.”

4. “Tell the truth to yourself.”
Sue Chaplin Herb, CPA, Vice President, Finance and Financial Reporting, AEG
“I’ve heard it said that one of the most important things
you can do is tell the truth to yourself. Admit to yourself
the state you are truly facing in order to make the tough
decisions and get the right outcomes.”

5. “Decisions are team sports.”
Kristine Caratan, CPA, CGMA, Executive Lecturer, San Francisco State University
“All too often some leaders will seek information, and
then finally make a decision without taking any of it into
consideration. Or others will take all the credit for
another’s idea. Decisions are team sports. If not, you
will rarely have anyone follow you.”

6. “Look at the facts from different points of
view.”
Karen Brewer Tarver, CPA, Partner, Elgee Rehfeld Mertz, LLC
“Get all the facts you can, look at them from different
points of view and make a decision you can justify to
yourself and others.”

7. “Understand what you don’t know.”
Bonnie Mann, CPA, Principal, London Witte Group, LLC
“Understand what you don’t know, understand that it’s
OK not to know everything and understand where to go
inside and outside of your organization to get help.”

8. “Radical transparency is needed.”
Alexio T Paguwa, SAP FICO Consultant, and CIMA Student
“Radical transparency is needed. A leader should move
away from pre-set organizational norms and explore
possible new ventures with a risk-averse mindset.”

9. “Think of others first.”
Brad Pees, CPA, Director Federal Tax Audit, Johnson Controls
“Think of others first when making a decision. If you
value others first, you will more than likely make the
right decision.”

10. “Have a risk assessment.”
Karthi Sugunan, CGMA – Finance and Accounting Manager
“Have a risk assessment and a firm exit strategy. If initial
results point to more risk, the fear of making that
decision will be greatly reduced.”

11. “Temper with compassion.”
Charles Blackmon, CPA, CGMA, Director of Information Technology, Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc.
“Make a logical decision based on the facts, tempered
with compassion.”

12. “Understand the decision may not please
everyone.”
Valerie Scarantino, CPA, Manager – Fraud Risk and Control, AmeriGas Propane
“Gather facts. Solicit additional input. Listen and HEAR.
Weigh positives and negatives in an objective manner.
Re-evaluate and decide. Understand that this decision
may not please everyone, so be prepared to address
concerns.”

13. “Obtain as much input as possible.”
Eric Kinsherf, CPA, Owner, Eric A. Kinsherf, CPA
“Obtain as much input as possible. List the pros and
cons of each decision, and ask ‘Is this the right thing to
do?’ Wait one day, make the decision and move on.”

14. “Trust your intuition – it is right more often
than wrong.”
Daryl Rollins, CPA, Tax & Audit Partner, Rosenbaum, Rollins & Olah, P.C.
“Gather all facts available in a timely manner. If they are
not enough to make an informed decision, then trust your
intuition – it is right more often than wrong.”

15. “Ask questions before responding.”
Michael Harnish, CPA, Board Member, Water Redevelopment Company
“Listen to what the person coming to you is saying, and
ask questions before responding. 90% of the time, I have
found that the right solution is hiding in their comments.”

16. “Talk it out with smart people who you
trust.”
Brannon Poe, CPA, Founder, Poe Group Advisors
“Talk it out with smart people who you trust. Clarity can
come from writing about and talking about the issue.
Also, don’t rush to make a decision. Wait until you are at
peace with it.”

17. “If it fails, it’s all in how you handle the
aftermath.”
Edward Collins-Fanner, CPA, Small Business Consultant
“Formulate a summary of the issue as best you can, and
make the decision, knowing that if the action taken works,
it worked. If it fails, it’s all in how you handle the
aftermath.”