I have often seen, heard, and heard about leaders who have pleaded not guilty for certain mistakes because they did what they did with a good intention. They claim that what they did was in “good faith” and thus excusable even if something went wrong.
Decision Making:
This brings a very important leadership aspect in focus: decision making. One of the chief, if not most important, roles of a leader is to make decisions. An excellent leader is expected to make excellent decisions; to make right choices. This is regardless of the intentions.
As you know, someone’s intentions are not seen. They are only expressed or talked about, and people decide to believe them or not. What is evidently clear is the decision made – whether good or bad. The intention may be discovered later.
Excellent leaders must therefore endeavor to make right choices – make good decisions. A bad decision made with a good intention remains bad. Good intentions are indeed good. But when they are coupled with bad decisions, the union is incompatibly suicidal. Whether the intention was to help millions of people, a bad decision when made with a good intention, remains a bad decision.
Decision Determines Destiny.
Leaders must remember that the decisions they make as leaders will determine the destiny of the organization they lead, the people they show direction, and the activities they manage.
Don’t put the destiny of that organization and the people that work under you in jeopardy. Take good time to know the decisions you make. Ensure they are the right decisions. Consult others so that you have a balanced view of your thinking and resolution.
Remember that once a decision has been made, a choice has been made. And it works like this: you have a liberty to make your choice, but you do not have the liberty to choose the consequences of your choice. Only what you have to do is to make sure that you make the right choice, which will automatically yield the right consequence.
With good intentions, make good decisions. The destiny of your organization and those you lead will then be secure. Keep reminding yourself: a bad decision made with a good intention remains bad! Good intentions must be accompanied by good decisions for your leadership to be fruitful, constructive, and productive.
