How do you decide?

Over the last month or so I have been diving into this book as a part of my doctoral program at Texas A&M.

I encourage everyone to read this book, but especially those that are in leadership positions or aspire to be in leadership positions.  Here is why.  (Don’t worry, I am not going to list any spoilers here.)  The world is not black and white.  If this is a spoiler for you, I’m sorry.  It shouldn't come as a surprise.  I think if you are reading this, you already know the world is not simply black and white.
 
Once upon a time, I felt there was only black and white in this world.  I was wrong.  I was naïve in my leadership.  This book does an excellent job of making you think about the struggles of being a leader and how your decisions impact others.  This book is not based in education, but instead situations that all leaders face, ethical and moral dilemmas.
 
The struggles in the book are struggles of right vs. right decisions.  How do you know what is right when both decisions feel and seem right?  Do you base your decisions on your morals, your ethics, your conscious, your religion, your beliefs?  Or do you put yourself in the shoes of those that are being affected by your decisions and make the decisions from their lens?

As a public-school leader, do you find that your personal views come into conflict with the ethics of fighting for and supporting all students, even when their actions go against your personal views?  How do you navigate your waters as a leader?  Do you consider those that you leave in the wake of your decisions? 
 
This leadership stuff isn’t easy.  It isn't for the faint of heart.  Often, there are not right vs. wrong problems but right vs. right problems.  What do you do when you come across these problems in leadership?  When these types of problems come your way, be ready ...everyone's watching.
 
Think.  Achieve.  Succeed.
 
Jeff

I would love to hear how you work through these issues in your work.  Please feel free to share in the comments section below.