From a young age, we’re faced with choices, big and small, that shape the direction of our lives. For many of us, these decisions begin simply enough but grow in significance as we navigate our careers and personal lives.
Denise D’Agostino, partner at Her New Standard, recalls her first solo decisions: buying a car, purchasing a home. “These choices taught me an approach that has served me well, and it’s one I’ve refined over time,” she says. Over the years, this approach has been essential to her professional growth, guiding her through complex decisions like pursuing international roles and championing challenging perspectives. Her approach can offer valuable lessons to leaders who find themselves at the crossroads of big decisions.
At Her New Standard (HNS), we know that decision-making is a fundamental skill for effective leadership. It’s also a skill that evolves over time and with experience. To support leaders, especially women, in navigating the complexities of decision-making, we encourage an approach that incorporates strategic planning, seeking diverse perspectives, and listening to one’s own intuition.
Here, Denise shares her decision-making framework—a process built on clarity, adaptability, and community buy-in—along with insights from the HNS philosophy on why these steps can lead to more impactful outcomes.
1. Define Your Desired Outcome
One of the first steps in effective decision-making is to clearly define the goal. As Denise puts it, “Get clear about your desired outcome—crystallize what success looks like and identify the key factors that matter to you and the broader team.” Setting clear, measurable goals helps leaders stay focused, especially when they face competing priorities or ambiguous choices.
At HNS, we believe that outcome clarity is key to empowered leadership. Without it, leaders risk drifting from one decision to another without a cohesive vision. This clarity provides a foundation upon which other steps in the decision-making process can be built and a point of reference when navigating the inevitable trade-offs.
2. Be Open to Trade-Offs
Flexibility is often the difference between a decision that falters and one that succeeds. “Recognize that trade-offs might be needed to stay within the parameters you’ve set,” Denise advises. Effective leaders understand that achieving their goals might require them to shift perspectives, rethink priorities, or even set aside preconceived plans.
Trade-offs are to be expected, and leaders must prioritize what matters most for the organization, the team, and themselves, adapting as circumstances change. The ability to pivot without losing sight of the goal is essential.
3. Seek Advice and Broaden Your Perspective
Leaders who are willing to seek outside perspectives, even when they challenge the status quo, often make more informed decisions. Denise emphasizes the value of consulting others: “Seek advice from those knowledgeable in similar topics, especially those from different functions or with diverse priorities.”
At HNS, we see this as a critical practice. A strong decision-making process draws on the knowledge and insights of others, whether they are within the organization or from entirely different industries. Consulting others not only brings fresh viewpoints but also minimizes the risk of bias, offering leaders a more holistic understanding of their choices. For many of the leaders we work with, building a trusted network of advisors has become an invaluable resource, helping them expand their perspective, address blind spots, and make more informed decisions.
4. Invite Feedback, Especially Critiques
Inviting feedback on your perspective and approach—especially critiques—is an essential part of effective decision-making. Denise encourages leaders to ask others to assess both the positives and the negatives of their approach and help identify any missing elements. “Get feedback on what you may not be seeing, and don’t shy away from criticism,” she says.
HNS emphasizes that leaders who embrace feedback as part of their process are better equipped to make choices that resonate with their teams and are aligned with organizational goals. Constructive feedback helps leaders preemptively address potential challenges, refine their approach, and strengthen the final decision.
5. Make the Decision, Test, and Adapt
Once the groundwork is laid, it’s time to make the decision and move forward. As Denise explains, “Make a decision based on the information you’ve gathered, test it, and adapt as needed.” Testing decisions in smaller, manageable ways can reduce risk and provide valuable insights into what adjustments might be necessary before fully implementing them.
At HNS, we advocate for an iterative approach to decision-making. Leaders are encouraged to view each decision as part of a continuous process rather than a fixed endpoint. By testing their approach and being open to refinement, leaders can adapt their choices as they receive feedback from their teams and the real-world outcomes of their decisions.
6. Engage Your Community
Denise highlights the importance of socializing decisions with the people they will impact: “Ensure they are aware, bought-in, and know where they need to engage.” Decision-making is often seen as a solitary process, but at HNS, we know that effective leadership depends on community support and engagement. Leaders who take the time to communicate their decisions, listen to feedback, and engage with stakeholders create stronger buy-in and foster a sense of shared purpose.
A Final Thought: There’s Rarely Just One ‘Right’ Answer
One of Denise’s most valuable insights is the understanding that there’s often more than one path to success. “Rarely is there one right answer,” she says. “The win is in creating clarity, sparking conversation, and gaining community support.”
HNS encourages leaders to embrace this mindset, recognizing that successful decision-making is less about finding a perfect answer and more about fostering clarity, building dialogue, and creating a shared vision. Trusting your intuition while also leaning on the insights of others and adapting along the way can make all the difference in achieving outcomes that benefit the individual leader, the team, and the broader organization.
Interested in learning how HNS can support your women leaders?
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