Leadership is often associated with making tough decisions, and leaders are frequently judged by the decisions they make and their impacts. However, how these decisions are made can have a significant influence on the leader's and the organization's success. This decision-making process is often "behind-the-scenes," meaning that even front-line leaders may be unaware of the inputs and considerations that went into the decision-making, or the leader's style of decision-making.

Rational decision-making, a cornerstone of successful leadership, involves a thoughtful, logical approach to problem-solving and a commitment to evidence-based choices. Rational leaders assess situations objectively, weigh the available evidence, and derive logical conclusions. They prioritize reason over emotion, ensuring their choices are grounded in a thorough understanding of the factors at play.

In contrast, rationalizing decisions that have already been made, whether consciously or unconsciously, is a common pitfall for many leaders. Rationalizing involves justifying a decision in a way that may not be entirely rational or logical, often making excuses, ignoring contradictory evidence, or blaming external factors for negative outcomes.

Leaders tend to fall into one of two........

© Psychology Today