The new CEO was seated at his desk fully concentrating on the task at hand. Working on the computer with his back to the office door, he thought he felt a presence behind him.

Slowly turning to confirm, or assuage, that “being watched” feeling, he was startled to see his executive assistant staring at him from the chair in front of his desk.

With his heart pounding and with just a bit of an edge to his voice he asked, “How long have you been sitting there?”

“Not long. I didn’t want to disturb you.” she answered.

Trying to put her at ease, he forced a smile, and in a light-hearted voice inquired “What have you got for me?”

“Well, the company picnic is in two weeks and I need to know how many bags of potato chips you want me to buy.”

More than a bit nonplussed, the new CEO asked, “Why are you asking ME?”

“Your predecessor always had me check with him before ordering potato chips for the picnic.”

The CEO thought to himself, “So, this is how people make decisions around here.”

 

Unfortunately, this is not a business parable, but a true story. We often hear top executives bemoan that none of their reports can make any decisions. They have to come to him/her for even the most trivial of decisions.

A subordinate’s consistent inability to make sound business decisions reflects directly back on their leader. The employee probably has not been trained to make decisions, encouraged/supported in decisions they’ve made, and most importantly have not been given a framework in which to guide their decision-making process that aligns with the company vision.

Leaders who continue to make all the decisions limit the growth of their employees and create a “child culture” where no one can act on their own without permission from the top. These leaders are limiting their organization’s growth.

Create a vision for your organization that focuses on your must-have customer and the relevant promises you make to them. Communicate this to everyone in your organization – “install” these concepts into every employee and process. This becomes the framework for wise, consistent, and powerful business decisions. Decisions that can be made by any employee.

Enable your organization with this guide for decision making and say goodbye to “chips” questions.

 

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