How Great Leaders Think and Make Decisions: 10 Essential Tips

Great leaders are not born ready. They develop strategic skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to make assertive decisions over time.

But what sets an ordinary leader apart from an exceptional one? The answer lies in how they think and how they make decisions. Whether in business, politics, or any other field, great leaders follow mental patterns that help them face challenges and guide their teams to success.

If you want to learn how to think like a leader and make more effective decisions, you are in the right place. Here are ten valuable tips that will transform your mindset and help you act like a true leader.

Look Beyond the Present: Great leaders do not make decisions based only on the present. They analyze the long-term impact of their choices and think strategically before acting. Ask yourself: “How will this decision benefit me five years from now?”

Analyze possible scenarios and consequences before making an important decision.

Make Decisions Based on Data, Not Emotions: While intuition is useful, successful leaders rely on facts and data before deciding.

• Whenever possible, seek concrete information before making a decision.

• Use research and analysis to support your choices.

• Ask yourself: “What numbers back up this decision?”

This reduces the risk of mistakes caused by impulsivity and ensures more assertive choices.

Develop Emotional Intelligence: Exceptional leaders know how to control their emotions and understand the emotions of others. This makes them more resilient to stress and more effective in communication.

• Before reacting to a situation, pause and take a deep breath.

• Pay attention to what others are saying.

• Understand how your emotions affect your decisions.

This helps you avoid impulsive decisions and build stronger, more trustworthy relationships.

Adopt a Growth Mindset: Successful leaders believe there is always something new to learn. They do not see mistakes as failures but as opportunities for growth.

• See challenges as opportunities to learn and evolve.

• Read books on leadership and personal development daily.

• Ask yourself what you can learn from each situation.

This keeps you up to date and constantly improves your leadership skills.

Take Responsibility for Your Choices: True leaders do not blame others when something goes wrong. They take responsibility for their decisions and seek solutions.

• If a decision does not go as expected, analyze what went wrong and learn from it.

• Never blame the team or external factors without first evaluating your own responsibility.

• Practice constructive self-criticism to continuously improve.

This earns you respect and trust from those around you.

Be Clear and Communicate Well: A good idea or decision only has a real impact if it is well communicated. Leaders know how to convey their vision clearly.

• Before making a decision, clearly define your goal.

• Be direct, objective, and avoid ambiguities.

• Always align expectations with your team to prevent misunderstandings.

This helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone moves in the same direction.

Develop the Courage to Make Difficult Decisions: Leaders do not shy away from tough choices. They face challenges head-on, even when decisions are unpopular.

• If you need to make a difficult decision, weigh the pros and cons and trust your judgment.

• Do not delay important decisions out of fear of how others will react.

• Ask yourself: “What is best for the long term, not just for the moment?”

This strengthens your leadership and earns you greater respect.

Be Adaptable and Open to Change: The world changes quickly, and great leaders know how to adapt instead of resisting change.

• Let go of outdated ideas and be open to new solutions.

• Stay informed about trends and innovations in your field.

• If a decision is not working, adjust your strategy without fear.

This makes you a leader who is prepared for any scenario and remains relevant in the market.

Inspire and Empower Your Team: Leadership is not about giving orders but about inspiring and developing people. A great leader creates new leaders.

• Give your team autonomy and trust in their potential.

• Acknowledge good results and encourage professional development.

• Create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.

A motivated and engaged team delivers better results and works with greater enthusiasm.

Learn to Say "No" When Necessary: Not every opportunity is a good one, and great leaders know when to decline something to protect their time and energy.

• Before accepting a new commitment, ask yourself: “Does this align with my goals?”

• If it is not a priority, learn to say “no” politely but firmly.

• Avoid trying to please everyone.

This helps you stay focused on what truly matters and prevents burnout.

Great leaders are not those who have all the answers but those who know how to think strategically, make conscious decisions, and inspire those around them.

If you want to become a better leader, start applying some of these tips in your daily life. Which one did you find most important? Share this post with someone who was born to be a great leader.

Check out these related posts:

Ten Tips to Overcome the Fear of Trying New Things

How to Learn from Your Own Mistakes and Move Forward

How the Human Mind Responds to Adversity

How to Deal with Rejections and Failures

About the Author

Marcela Batista, I love reading, writing, listening to music, exercising physically and mentally, and I love learning and discussing human behavior and mental health.