Description

In today’s episode, I explore a tension every leader eventually faces: when to look again, and when to trust the decision you’ve already made.

There’s an important difference between checking the work and questioning the judgment. One can reveal an error. The other can reveal that circumstances have changed—or that we’re simply uncomfortable with committing to a choice.

Using Apollo 11, the premortem, and research on escalation of commitment, I look at why strong decision-making requires both rigor and the willingness to change course.

The challenge is knowing which moment you’re in.

Join me as I explore:

• The difference between double-checking and second-guessing
• What Apollo 11 teaches us about decisions under pressure
• How premortems help teams uncover hidden risks
• Why sunk costs make changing course so difficult
• When leaders should reopen a decision

Key Takeaways:

• Double-check the work when there is something concrete to verify.
• Second-guess a decision when meaningful new evidence emerges.
• Premortems can expose risks before pressure clouds judgment.
• Past investment can make a bad decision harder to leave behind.
• Uncertainty alone is not always a reason to reconsider.
• Good leadership requires knowing when to look again—and when to decide.

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#Leadership #DecisionMaking #LeadershipDevelopment #CriticalThinking #ExecutiveLeadership

Steven Morris, CEO of Matter Consulting is an ever-curious life-seeker, brand and culture building expert, advisor, author, and speaker.

With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has served as a trusted advisor to over 3,000 business leaders and evolved more than 250 brands and cultures, including Google, Habitat for Humanity, Samsung, and Disney.

His best-selling book, "The Beautiful Business," and his widely read Insights blog are a testament to his consulting expertise in creating unignorable, magnetic, and sustainable companies.

His diverse interests, including meditation, fine art painting, surfing, and beekeeping, infuse his work with creativity, soul, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

You can find more podcasts and join 30,000+ other brilliant and soulful readers of his weekly INSIGHTS blog at MatterCo.