Tag: Business Leadership

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Decision Making Under Pressure: How to Stay Clear When It Counts

A focused businesswoman reviews sticky notes on a glass wall in a modern office, symbolising calm thinking, clarity and structured decision-making under pressure.

When things move fast, decisions can start to feel like guesswork. Deadlines close in, information changes by the hour and the pressure to get it right builds quickly.

It’s easy to lose perspective in moments like that. Yet strong decision-making under pressure isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying clear when others can’t.

That clarity is what separates reaction from leadership.

Slow down to speed up

Pressure often tricks us into thinking that speed is the same as progress. The truth is that rushing usually leads to rework.

A study by *McKinsey found that executives who made decisions “slowly but with conviction” achieved better outcomes 65% of the time compared to those who acted fast but with uncertainty.

Taking a moment to pause to check assumptions, confirm priorities or sense-check your options can save hours of recovery later. Clarity often hides in the seconds we think we can’t spare.

Simplify the options

When stress rises, choice overload can make even simple decisions feel complex. The best leaders know how to strip problems back to their core by asking questions like:

  • What problem are we really solving?
  • What outcome matters most right now?
  • What happens if we do nothing?

This kind of simplification cuts through noise and helps your team focus on what really matters.

Trust the process, not just instinct

Experience gives intuition, but process gives consistency. The two work best together.

Whether you use a framework like SWOT, cost-benefit mapping or a simple “pros and cons” list, having a repeatable approach keeps emotion from running the show.

It also makes it easier to explain your reasoning later on. Things like a sign of calm or confident leadership when the stakes are high can go a long way.

As *Daniel Kahneman once said, “Nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it.” The moment might feel huge, but perspective comes from structure.

Staying clear when it counts

Pressure never disappears, but clarity can cut through it.

The leaders who make great calls under stress don’t rely on luck or gut feeling alone. They pause, simplify and use clear processes to guide their judgment.

Because when everyone else speeds up, the smartest thing you can do is slow down.

Want to go deeper?

If you’re ready to sharpen your thinking and make smarter decisions under pressure, explore my course How to Employ Strategic Thinking. It’s designed to help you build confidence, clarity and focus when it matters most.

*Sources

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What Most Leaders Get Wrong When Using AI in Business

Using AI in Business

Using AI in business is becoming the norm, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s doing it well.

Too often, leaders adopt AI hoping it’ll solve everything. But without the right thinking behind it, AI just speeds up the wrong kind of work. It can look impressive on the surface, but it’s not always moving the business in the right direction.

So, what’s going wrong and how can you make sure you’re actually getting the benefit?

Let’s break it down into three buckets.

1. They Expect It to Solve Their Strategic Gaps

AI can be powerful, but it’s not a substitute for leadership. If you’re unclear on your direction, goals or priorities, adding AI into the mix won’t fix that.

In fact, it’ll often make things worse.

When the thinking isn’t clear, AI just accelerates the mess. You end up producing more faster, but not necessarily better.

If you don’t know where you’re going, AI will just help you get there faster… even if it’s the wrong place.

2. They Focus on Tools, Not Outcomes

It’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing features. A tool promises 10x productivity and suddenly it’s top of the priority list.

But this approach flips the logic. Instead of asking, “What result are we aiming for?” teams end up asking, “What can this tool do?”

That’s how you end up with bloated tech stacks, duplicate processes and a lot of activity that doesn’t actually move the needle.

The better way? Start with the outcome. Then choose tools that support that outcome.

3. They Miss the Human Factor when Using AI in Business

AI doesn’t work in a vacuum. It changes how people work, what they focus on and how they collaborate.

If your team isn’t clear on why a tool is being introduced or how it fits into the bigger picture, they’re less likely to trust it, let alone use it effectively.

Training, communication and change support matter just as much as the tool itself. Skipping those things might save time now, but it costs you in adoption and impact later.

What Should Leaders Do Instead?

If you want AI to work for your business, you need to lead it with clarity. Here’s how to start:

  • Anchor everything in strategy. What’s the bigger goal? What’s the problem you’re trying to solve?
  • Evaluate tools based on fit, not flash. Does this support your priorities or just add noise?
  • Involve your team. Make sure they understand the purpose and potential of the tools they’re being asked to use.
  • Keep revisiting your thinking. Strategy isn’t static especially in fast-moving environments. Stay curious and adapt.

Strategy First. Using AI in Business Second

Smart AI use doesn’t start with tech, it starts with thinking.

That’s why I created How to Employ Strategic Thinking. It’s a course designed to help leaders shift out of reactive mode and start operating with more clarity, purpose and direction.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Spot opportunities that align with your long-term goals

✅ Set clearer priorities so your team stays focused

✅ Use AI (and other tools) with intention, not just for the sake of it

Whether you’re running a business or leading a team, this course gives you the mindset and methods to make better decisions.

No tool can replace good thinking. But the right thinking? That’s what makes every tool more valuable.