Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
DECISIVENESS
- July 1, 2024
DECISIVENESS
Boardroom battles, surviving market crashes and operating in any military operation requires alertness of a highest order, mental flexibility and decisiveness to seize the best opportunity in a fluid situation. Alongwith Judgement and Justice, Decisiveness is perhaps the most important quality a leader must possess.
Sometimes your one-time decisions course through the veins of an organisation for years and take it to altogether different plain over time. There may be hardships and discomfort along the way but the positive results overshadow any of them.
I was a young major in 1995 and my battalion was inducted in active counter insurgency operations. Our area of responsibility was very vast requiring spread out deployment of companies and regular and frequent need for moving from place A to place B for conducting area domination patrols and joint operations. There was an active group of terrorist from the area and it was prone to firing at the posts and bomb blasts. Number of IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) were used against army and civilian vehicles in the past and this threat was ever present. We were in a dilemma as to how to operate for ensuring peace and tranquility. Faster reactions were required but the negative effect of suffering casualties was also a major factor to be taken into account.
Our CO decided on the very first day of assuming operational control that we will all WALK for any and every operation and use vehicles only minimally to carry heavy stores and as a backup. And when required sudden moves could be taken up for emergency build up.
This stretched all of us a bit, but soon everyone got used to it. We could travel upto 20 km through the night for pre-dawn operations and no body complained. The results were obvious – we had absolutely no incident of IED/firing on our convoys and obviously no casualty.
This one single very difficult and unorthodox decision, taken at the onset of the tenure, and persisted with throughout saved lives and got a lot of respect and praise, and even awards to our Unit for our excellent operational performance.
Imagine this scenario: you find yourself at the helm of a team project, the deadline looming ominously. Suddenly, a crucial issue crops up, demanding immediate attention. All eyes turn to you, a mix of anticipation and anxiety evident in their gaze. So, what’s your next move?
This, my friends, encapsulates the essence of decisiveness – the capacity to make timely and sound decisions, even when the pressure is on. It’s a pivotal trait in leadership, capable of either propelling a team towards success or hindering its progress. Let’s delve into why decisiveness is paramount and explore how to refine this indispensable skill.
Analysis paralysis is a real threat in decision-making. Procrastination often stems from the fear of making the wrong choice. In the dynamic realm of leadership, such indecision can lead to missed opportunities, disgruntled team members, and ultimately, subpar outcomes. Conversely, a decisive leader grasps that sometimes, a swift but solid decision outweighs a delayed pursuit of perfection.
Decisiveness isn’t about rash judgments; it’s about informed choices. Effective decision-making hinges on gathering pertinent information efficiently, focusing on the critical details that bear the most significance. Rather than drowning in data overload, prioritize and synthesize information from reliable sources to inform your decision-making process.
Once armed with insights, it’s time to weigh the options. This doesn’t entail exhaustive analysis of every conceivable scenario. Instead, pinpoint the most feasible alternatives, evaluate their potential risks and rewards, and consider their implications for your team and the broader organization. While tough decisions may not always be popular, transparency and rationale behind them cultivate trust and understanding within the team.
The essence of decisiveness lies in decisive action. After weighing the options, commit to your choice without hesitation. Communicate your decision clearly and confidently to your team, and proceed with conviction. Understand that even the best decisions may not yield perfect outcomes. Embrace both successes and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
Like any skill, decisiveness improves with practice. Start small by making everyday decisions deliberately, setting and adhering to deadlines. Seek out opportunities that demand decision-making involvement, whether leading discussions, delegating tasks, or actively engaging in brainstorming sessions. The more you immerse yourself in decision-making scenarios, the more adept and self-assured you’ll become.
A truly decisive leader doesn’t bear the burden of decision-making alone. Instead, they empower their team to make informed choices within their realm of expertise. This collaborative approach not only lightens the leader’s load but also fosters a sense of ownership and initiative among team members.
Decisiveness isn’t synonymous with arrogance; it’s about exuding confidence and clarity in navigating challenges. It enables leaders to seize opportunities, navigate complexities, and inspire action within their teams. By honing this trait, leaders become reliable decision-makers, guiding their teams towards success amidst the ever-evolving business landscape.
Major General Balraj Mehta
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta