Avoiding the Inevitable: Overcoming Decision Avoidance in Organizational Leadership, by Jonathan H. Westover PhD
Abstract: This article examines why organizational leaders frequently delay or avoid difficult decisions despite decision-making being a fundamental leadership responsibility. Drawing on established decision theory research and practical examples, the authors explore the psychological underpinnings of decision avoidance, including loss aversion, status quo bias, prediction uncertainty, and diffusion of responsibility. The article provides actionable strategies for leaders to overcome these natural tendencies, such as establishing clear decision thresholds, reframing choices positively, distributing input while maintaining ownership, implementing small-scale pilots, and conducting process analyses. Through a detailed case study of Johnson & Johnson's decisive response to the 1982 Tylenol crisis, the authors illustrate how principled, timely decision-making can strengthen organizations despite initial costs. The article concludes that recognizing and counteracting avoidance tendencies is essential for effective leadership and organizational adaptability in uncertain environments.
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