79 How to know when you have the right answer - with Adam Boddison CEO Association for Project Management

Practical Leadership Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into the art of decision-making with Adam Boddison, a leader with extensive experience in project management. Together, we explore how managers and leaders can develop confidence in knowing when they’ve found the right answer. Decision-making is a crucial skill for any leader, and Adam shares practical strategies and insights that help clarify this often complex process.

Key Takeaways:

1. Decision-Making Isn’t Just About Data
2. Adam emphasizes that while data is important, relying solely on it can lead to indecision. Leaders need to combine data with intuition, experience, and context to arrive at well-rounded decisions.
3. The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
4. Before making a decision, leaders should focus on asking the right questions. Adam discusses how framing a problem correctly can uncover the most valuable insights, leading to better outcomes.
5. Confidence in Uncertainty
6. No decision will ever be 100% risk-free. Adam talks about how leaders must learn to be comfortable with uncertainty and trust in their judgment, even when all the answers aren’t immediately clear.
7. Knowing When to Act
8. One of the biggest challenges leaders face is knowing when to make a decision and when to wait for more information. Adam shares his approach to balancing urgency with patience, ensuring that decisions are made with both speed and care.
9. The Role of Collaboration in Decision-Making
10. Decision-making doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Adam highlights the importance of involving your team and stakeholders in the process. Collaboration brings diverse perspectives that can illuminate blind spots and lead to more robust decisions.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Data gives you part of the picture, but if you wait for all the data, you might miss the window to act."
• "Asking the right questions upfront changes everything—it’s about framing the problem correctly."
• "It’s not about eliminating uncertainty, it’s about leading with confidence in the face of it."

Actionable Insights:

• Trust your instincts: Data is important, but your experience and gut feelings are crucial too. Use them together to guide your decisions.
• Collaborate effectively: Don’t make decisions in isolation. Seek input from your team to get a broader perspective.
• Be decisive: Don’t wait for perfect information—it rarely exists. Learn to make decisions with the information you have.

https://www.apm.org.uk/about-us/profile/professor-adam-boddison/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamboddison

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