Pride has no place in success.
I remember facing a particularly difficult decision and wishing desperately that I had someone to run my thoughts by. I wasn’t looking for someone to make the decision for me. I just wanted to be sure I hadn’t missed anything. That my interpretation of the information was sound. That my judgment wasn't clouded.
Here’s what I know:I can make a mistake.I will make a mistake.But there are times when making the wrong call simply isn’t an option. Sometimes, one bad decision can bring the whole house down.That’s where decision peer reviews can make all the difference.
Now, I know there are two knee-jerk reactions to this idea:
If I ask for a decision peer review, it’ll make me look incompetent.If I open the door to peer review, someone might try to take my job.
Let’s reset the frame.
A decision peer review isn’t about passing the buck or showcasing weakness. It’s about applying an intentional assessment to the quality, logic, and potential impact of a decision before it’s made. It’s not about having someone else decide for you, it’s about making sure nothing critical has been missed.
And here’s the thing:Don’t just go to one person. If time allows, host a quick input session.When time is tight, make sure you’ve got a decision design in place with a decision map that outlines which departments, roles, or stakeholders need to weigh in.And don’t overlook your frontline teams. You should ask them what you don’t know.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:
Pride has no place in success.Success is a culmination of efforts, not just your own.Peer-reviewed decisions:
- Reduce blind spots
- Encourage constructive challenge
- Improve decision quality
- Build early buy-in
- Foster a culture of shared ownership
Let’s disrupt the status quo of decisions happening in silos. Let’s create a space where decisions are shared, stress-tested, and strengthened together.
