Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing how to make the right choices when it matters most. For women in leadership, decision-making can feel like walking a tightrope, balancing what’s best for the team, the organisation, and your instincts. It’s no easy task, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of being a leader.
It’s about trusting yourself and learning from experience. Here are five tips that can help you sharpen your decision-making and lead with confidence by Denise Flavin, HR Business Partner at Totalmobile.
Trust Your Gut
As a leader, you’ve got something pretty powerful on your side: your instincts. They’re not just guesses—they’re built on years of experience, observations, and lessons learned. Trusting your gut can be especially important when facing a decision that doesn’t have a clear, right answer.
This might mean pushing past that little voice of doubt and leaning into your expertise. Of course, weighing up your options is smart, but don’t overlook what your intuition tells you. Sometimes, the best decisions come from trusting that quiet, inner voice that says, “This feels right.”
Look at the Numbers, but Don’t Forget the People
Data is everywhere nowadays and can be a great tool to back up your decisions. But numbers only tell part of the story.
Leadership isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s about understanding your people. Consider how your decisions will affect your team, customers, partners, and the culture you’re building. Balancing the hard facts with empathy and human insight will help you make decisions that feel both smart and right.
Get Input from Different Voices
Nobody makes good decisions in a vacuum. The best leaders know how to tap into the perspectives of others. For women in leadership, this means creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas, even if they don’t always agree with you.
When you’re stuck or looking for fresh ideas, ask for input from people with different backgrounds, experiences, and expertise. It could be your teammate, a mentor, or even a colleague from a different department of the business. Their perspectives can help you spot blind spots and consider angles you hadn’t even thought of before. Not only that, but it’s also a great way to build trust and show your team that their opinions matter!
Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Risk
Nobody likes making a wrong call. But the reality is that playing it safe all the time isn’t leadership. Sometimes, making a big decision means taking risks and stepping into the unknown.
The key, though, is to take calculated risks. This is when you think things through, weigh the pros and cons, and then decide based on your research. And if things don’t go as planned? Own it, learn from it, and move forward. Mistakes aren’t the end of the world—they’re opportunities to grow. Showing your team that you’re not afraid to take risks (or admit when you’re wrong) is one of the most powerful ways to lead by example.
Be Clear and Confident, but Stay Open to Change
Be Clear and Confident, but Stay Open to Change. Once you’ve made a decision, own it. Be clear about why you made the choice and communicate it confidently to your team. People need to know where you stand and why—and your clarity will help them get on board.
That said, leadership isn’t about being stubborn. The best decisions are the ones that can evolve when new information comes along. If the situation changes or you realise there’s a better way forward, don’t be afraid to pivot. Staying flexible shows your team that you’re not just decisive—you’re also adaptable and committed to doing what’s best in the long run.
Leadership is full of decisions, big and small. Some are easy; others will keep you up at night. But for women in leadership roles, decision-making is an opportunity to show your team what you’re made of—your values, courage, and commitment to doing what’s right.
By trusting your instincts, listening to others, balancing data with empathy, and being willing to take risks, you can lead with confidence and heart. Remember, every decision is a chance to learn, grow, and inspire those around you. So don’t overthink it—trust yourself and the process, and keep moving forward.
