For much of my career, I lived in plan mode. I built to perfection, analyzed every angle, and made sure every project was fully architected before moving forward. That instinct came from a good place — I wanted to deliver excellence and anticipate every outcome. But over time, I realized something important: the longer I stayed in planning, the more opportunities I delayed.

Decisiveness isn’t about rushing. It’s about clarity.

From Planning to Deciding

Lately, I’ve been working on being more decisive — and it’s changed how I work, lead, and create. I used to think I needed full confidence before committing to a direction. Now I aim for about 70% clarity. That’s usually enough to act, learn, and refine. The remaining 30% unfolds through feedback, iteration, and movement.

Instead of creating deliverables for final submission, I now create them for feedback. That single change has freed up my creativity and reduced decision fatigue.

The Three Lenses of Decisive Leadership

When I’m faced with competing priorities or noise from different directions, I use three simple lenses to decide.

Vision – Does this align with the future I’m building?

Keeps me grounded in the long game. Every decision either builds toward it or distracts from it.

Value – Does this create real impact?

Reminds me to focus on outcomes, not output. Decisive leaders move what matters.

Vitality – Does this energize me or drain me?

Our energy is data. When I feel drained, it’s often a sign I’m solving the wrong problem or over-optimizing.

When at least two of these lenses are clear, I move forward with confidence.

From Perfection to Precision

This mindset shift also changed how I define excellence.

Perfection tries to control every variable. Precision focuses on the few that truly matter.

Perfection aims for flawless outcomes. Precision aims for meaningful progress.

I no longer wait for every piece of data to line up. I make the best decision possible with what I know, document my reasoning, and adjust when new information comes in.

The Daily Decision Practice

Every day, I write one simple reflection:

“Today I decided ___ and it moved me forward because ___.”

That small habit builds awareness. I start to see patterns — where I hesitate, where I lead with conviction, and what kinds of choices strengthen my momentum.

This practice has made me calmer, faster, and more creative. I feel in control of my direction instead of being pulled by others’ urgency or expectations.

Clarity Compounds

When you start making decisions based on clarity instead of certainty, you build momentum that compounds over time.

Clarity creates space for feedback. Feedback creates learning. Learning creates confidence. Confidence fuels greater clarity.

That’s the real cycle of growth.

Final Thought

If you’ve been in plan mode — building, optimizing, perfecting — pause and ask: “What would happen if I decided with clarity instead of waiting for certainty?”

That decision might move you forward faster than you think.

FAQ

What does it mean to choose clarity over certainty in leadership?

Choosing clarity over certainty means moving when you have enough understanding to act instead of waiting for perfect information. You focus on what you know, what you are solving for, and what success looks like, then make the best decision you can and adjust as you learn.

How can I use the Vision, Value, and Vitality lenses to make better decisions?

Vision asks whether a choice aligns with the future you are trying to build. Value checks whether it creates real impact instead of extra output. Vitality looks at your energy and whether the work sustains or drains you. When at least two of these are clear, you have enough signal to move forward with confidence.

How does Skylark 118 apply this clarity-first approach with leaders and teams?

At Skylark 118, I use these lenses to help leaders prioritize work, shape AI initiatives, and decide which experiments to run next. The goal is to move from planning to learning faster so teams can ship, gather feedback, and refine instead of staying stuck in slideware.