Any leader knows the tension of making a difficult decision. Here are some of the guidelines I have used over the years in executing difficult decisions. I haven’t always gotten it right, but grace is sufficient and we keep on growing.

1. Clothe decisions in prayer. Pray. Pray. And pray some more. This involves asking God for wisdom and listening for the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Solomon, considered the wisest man who ever lived, was commended because he sought God for wisdom in the weighty affairs of governing his people. And God blessed him in other ways as a result of his wisdom seeking. (1 Kings 3:1-15)

2. Never make a critical decision when you are fatigued. Get adequate rest if you can. Step away for a day or two. Decisions made under exhaustion have destructive consequences. However, the most critical decisions will always carry with them a certain weight of uneasiness that won’t be resolved until you make the decision. There is a balance in finding rest while also knowing that certain tensions will remain until the decision is executed.

3. Seek out the counsel of others. Some leaders view this as a sign of weakness. It’s not. Proverbs 24:6 admonishes, “For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”

4. Ask the right questions. You’re not here to win a popularity contest. You are here to do the right thing. Don’t focus on who will like or dislike the decision. Ask, “Is this the right thing to do?” You will sleep better at night for it. What values guide it? What convictions play into it? How does it serve people, our community, our culture, and the bigger picture?

5. Write it out first. Write out your thoughts on paper. Put some ink not only on the execution of the decision (the resolution), but try to articulate as much as possible the process of making the decision. This often brings necessary clarity and structure to the decision making process—and can define the “win” of the decision more accurately when it is executed.

These have helped me over the years. What has helped you make the tough decisions?