Description

Introduction

Great leaders make great decisions. In an age of big data and fast change, leaders must master the art of balancing analytical insight with intuitive judgment. Decision-Making for Leaders: Balancing Data and Intuition helps leaders harness both hard evidence and gut instinct to make confident, timely, and impactful choices that align with strategy and values.

Prerequisites

• Experience in a leadership, management, or decision-making role

• Basic understanding of data interpretation and business analysis

• Willingness to reflect on personal decision-making patterns

• Openness to balancing logic with creativity

Table of Contents

1. The Leadership Decision-Making Landscape
 1.1 The Nature and Impact of Leadership Decisions
 1.2 Decision-Making Under Pressure
 1.3 Strategic vs. Operational Decisions
 1.4 Common Biases and Pitfalls in Decision-Making

2. The Power of Data in Decision-Making
 2.1 Understanding and Interpreting Data
 2.2 Sourcing Reliable and Relevant Data
 2.3 Visualizing Data for Clarity
 2.4 Avoiding Data Overload and Paralysis

3. Leveraging Intuition as a Leadership Asset
 3.1 What Is Intuition and When to Trust It
 3.2 Developing Leadership Intuition Through Experience
 3.3 Case Studies: Intuition in Action
 3.4 Integrating Intuition with Analytical Thinking

4. Balancing Analysis and Instinct
 4.1 The Data–Intuition Spectrum
 4.2 When to Lead with Data vs. Gut Feel
 4.3 Creating a Decision Framework That Blends Both
 4.4 Real-World Scenarios and Guided Exercises

5. Collaborative Decision-Making
 5.1 Involving the Right Stakeholders
 5.2 Facilitating Group Decision Sessions
 5.3 Building Consensus Without Compromise
 5.4 Guarding Against Groupthink

6. Tools and Models for Smart Decision-Making
 6.1 SWOT, Cost-Benefit, and Risk Analysis
 6.2 Decision Trees and Scenario Planning
 6.3 The OODA Loop, Six Thinking Hats, and Other Models
 6.4 Choosing the Right Tool for the Situation

7. Ethics and Values in Leadership Decisions
 7.1 Aligning Decisions with Organizational Values
 7.2 Making Difficult Ethical Calls
 7.3 Transparency and Accountability
 7.4 Leading with Integrity in Ambiguous Situations

8. Decision Execution and Follow-Through
 8.1 Communicating Decisions Clearly
 8.2 Gaining Buy-In and Ownership
 8.3 Monitoring Results and Adapting
 8.4 Learning from Feedback and Outcomes

9. Crisis and High-Stakes Decision-Making
 9.1 Making Decisions Under Uncertainty
 9.2 Managing Emotions in Crisis
 9.3 Leading Decisively During Change or Chaos
 9.4 Building a Resilient Decision-Making Culture

10. Building a Leadership Decision-Making Habit
 10.1 Reflecting on Your Decision Style
 10.2 Strengthening Self-Awareness and Confidence
 10.3 Coaching Others in Effective Decision-Making
 10.4 Creating a Decision-Making Journal and Growth Plan

Balanced decision-making is a key leadership differentiator. By integrating structured data analysis with confident intuition, leaders can navigate complexity, drive clarity, and inspire trust. This course empowers you to lead decisions with clarity, courage, and credibility—whatever the challenge ahead.