DECEMBER 23, 2009

Making a Tough Call

It's tough to make the tough calls, but you've proven your leadership mettle this year – shoring up costs and streamlining your company to keep it recession proof. We may be through the worst of it, but you'll still have to make some big decisions in 2010, says ESPN executive vice president and CFO Christine Driessen. "Things won't be like they were two years ago. Most companies will still need to resize and rescale."

Her mother told her that 99 percent of the time, the right choice will be the hardest (and often, the most unpopular) one. "I live that creed at the office," she tells PINK. "It's easy to back away from what you know should be done. It's hard to be the one who suggests cancelling the holiday party to free up funds for development." The key is thinking long-term, she says. "In a vacuum, those decisions are hard, but what will ultimately drive the business forward is the greater good."

So how do you make the tough calls? ArticlesBase.com, MindTools.com and BusinessKnowledgeResource.com offer tools and tips, like considering your company's mission and different points of view.

In 10-10-10 and this audio interview, business author Suzy Welch shares her decision-making strategy – considering the impact in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years from now.

Want more? Check out Tough Management: The 7 Winning Ways to Make Tough Decisions Easier, Deliver the Numbers, and Grow the Business in Good Times and Bad.

Bonus PINK Link: In our exclusive interview, Driessen shares success secrets to keeping your company strong in a post-recessionary economy.