Making Decisions

“Making good decisions is a crucial skill at every level.”

Peter Druker, American Management Consultant, Educator, and Philosopher

As I have been extremely busy these past couple of weeks, it has been difficult for me to decide on a topic for elaboration in this blog.  Ironicly, I’ve been doing quite a few projects and activities where decision making is paramount to the growth and success of these entities.  Whether it’s the day-to-day operational decisions that keep a project going or the monumental ethical or moral choices that everyone faces at one point in his or her life, decision making is an important aspect of life that is not to be handled lightly.

What is more important, I find, is leading through the decisions that you make, even if they do not directly impact specific people or organizations.  The decisions one makes are crucial to shaping the way others perceive who you are, your moral character, your values and beliefs, and future behaviors, among a myriad of other personal traits and actions.  Probably one of the most important decisions that I have made throughout high school and now in college is the decision not to drink alcohol in any way until the age of twenty-one.  Obviously this is a very important decision and one that was very difficult to make in the face of so much outside pressure.  However, it was a decision that I decided to make early on and hold myself to that decision for as long as I am underage.  For one, drinking alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and doing so can result in fines, jail time, and marks on one’s permanent record.  Another reason that I decided not to do it was because of control.  I like having control of my body, my thoughts, and my actions, so while the loss of control that results from alcohol was one aspect of not drinking it, the thought of people trying to encourage or force me to drink alcohol would also result in my giving up of control (control over my own decision making).  Now don’t get me wrong, I do not and will not judge others for their decision regarding the use of alcohol, and I also don’t pretend to be some sort of martyr.  I respect people no matter their decision on the subject and everyone has been very respectful of my decision as well.  Other decisions may draw criticism from all sides but I have been fortunate enough to have friends and family who support these types of decisions.

Now how does leadership tie into this type of decision making?  Even though I’m not leading a specific organization, I am leading individuals who also do not want to underage drink.  I’m trying to serve as a role model for people who might be pressured to drink alcohol in order to have fun.  There are so many ways that students at a college campus can have a social life and not drink alcohol and I want people to know this option exists.  I’m leading by example, a transformational leadership tactic that is by far one of the most effective in instituting change or inspiring others. Leading by example works in all kinds of decision making scenarios, from professional ethical behavior to personal risk-taking.  The whole idea is that by making decisions, you take the lead and affect people with the outcome, for better or worse.  That is why it is so important to make the right decisions and lead people the right way.  Whether it’s my decision to be honest, to not cheat, to not steal, to follow through with my promises, or any other critical decision item, I am leading by the very nature of choosing.