Michael Lombardi said in his recent outstanding coaching session, “Inertia is not a lack of action but an inability to recognize the appropriate action.” Allow me to give you an example.
There is a difference between pivot decisions and strategic decisions. Pivot decisions are the proverbial fork in the road. You will either go left or right, hire this person or not, launch this new product or not. Strategic decisions are the decisions you make so you can effectively implement your pivot decision. It is vital to a leader’s success to know what type of decision they are actually making.
But there is another decision which leaders are constantly faced with that has an even greater impact on the advancement of the organization’s mission and vision. It is what I call the “No Decision.”
Do not be confused – No decision is a decision. No decision is a sign of passivity. It is an indicator of a lack of decisiveness.
Brad Pitt said in the movie World War Z, “Movement is life. I’ve been in dangerous places. Those who survived move.” This was the most important lesson from the film. Leaders who stagnate, stall, and refuse to take the actions necessary to advance their mission and vision, ultimately cause their organizations to plateau, fall into a state of apathy, and eventually die.
I thought about this lesson recently as I watched Spain’s 16-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal. On Tuesday, July 9th, Yamal became the youngest player ever to score a goal in a Euro Championship match when Spain defeated France 2-1. A video of his spectacular shot is shown in the video below.
Dermot Corrigan made an interesting observation about Yamal in this The Athletic article, “He has become one of his team’s most dangerous attackers for club and country. He generally picks up a position high and wide on the right wing, where he can receive the ball with the rival defense stretched. From there, he immediately looks to cut inside and take on his marker — such as the driving run that won a penalty for Spain against Brazil.”
Here’s the phrase we need to focus on – “He generally picks up a position high and wide on the right wing, where he can receive the ball with the rival defense stretched. From there, he immediately looks to cut inside and take his marker.”
In addition to Yamal’s generational talent, one of his main strengths is decisiveness. He can make a decision and then take appropriate action. “No decision” is not part of Yamal’s playing style.
James Clear writes, “The first minute of action is worth more than a year of perfect planning.” Taking action activates resources. It creates energy and improves organizational health. Taking action brings clarity. It increases strength and endurance. Taking action builds trust. Once again, movement is life. Leaders who survive take appropriate action and move.
If you wish to advance your organization’s mission and vision, one of the most important things you can do is to be decisive and take appropriate action.
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