All of us are under a lot of pressure right now, making it harder to act and make vital decisions, which would not only affect us but our employees and their families. I know that this has been especially hard for me.
The best way that I've found to deal with decisions is to take a moment and assess what is happening around me, then to anticipate any questions before acting. Very few, if any, good decisions are made in fear or haste. In saying that, I know that the very nature of what we are dealing with means does not allow for us to take our time, or to gather as much of the facts as we would like.
I am a big believer in the power of gut instinct. It is not something that should be taken for granted – especially when it comes to making decisions. However, I wouldn't suggest that you rely on your gut instinct alone – the overwhelming emotions and mental strains that we are all currently facing can and more than likely will alter our abilities to think and act rationally.
My advice for business owners would be to get into the habit of taking a step back from the situation, re-assessing, and observing the conversations and the responses of those around you. Assessing the situation from different vantage points and then anticipating what will come next are key things to do before making any important decisions. Some things will require immediate action with little time to assess, such as major client loss or changes in lockdown rules. But, it's important to remember that, in time, you will be given breathing space to stop and think ahead before taking any more major action.
