The 7 Secrets of Neuron Leadership

Chapter 17Neuron Decision Making

It is only in our decisions that we are important.

—JEAN‐PAUL SARTRE

This chapter covers how to utilize the Neuron Decision Matrix™ and the Neuron Priority Planner™ to make and implement important leadership decisions and tasks (Figure 17.1).

Figure 17.1 Decisions

Source: Citalliance, Dreamstime.com.

I mentioned earlier that I've spent the past decade as an executive coach and consultant working with C‐level and VP‐level executives at dozens of leading firms worldwide. In most cases, these executives are excellent decision makers who exhibit calm confidence when deciding courses of action. Most do a great job of also seeking input from their team and inspiring them to follow the courses selected. Some, however, when subjected to environments of high stress, can make emotionally or instinctually charged decisions that lead to disaster.

Aristotle taught us that to be persuasive, we need to engage all three parts of our brain. Making a decision is all about persuasion. We need to persuade ourselves that we're making the right and best decision, and then we need to persuade our teams to execute on those decisions. The best way to do this is to ensure that all three parts of our brain get an equal say in the matter. I've designed a Neuron Decision Matrix that can help us do that more effectively. Here's how it works.

First, be sure that you have ...