When you're stuck between decisions
- Rita Shah
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Sometimes the better decision is not the obvious one.
I worked with the CFO of a public listed company who was offered the position of CEO by the board.
It was a very attractive offer – the status, the compensation, the doors that would open to further career, leadership and business opportunities.
It should have been an easy yes. Yet, she was hesitating. Her husband and close circle of friends encouraged her to take the offer. Especially as she had successfully negotiated a package and terms that suited her needs. They thought she was being overly cautious, over-thinking it.
Despite all the noise pushing her to a yes, something wasn’t sitting right. She sought my help to make a decision she would not regret.
She asked me what I would do, what she should do. But I wasn’t about to tell her what to do nor what I would do. This wasn’t about me. Instead, I asked her pointed questions to get her exploring her hesitation.
What was behind the nagging doubt around what on paper looked like the best opportunity of her career so far? Each question uncovered deeper concerns that she had not considered, not even been aware of. Her initial reasons to hold back turned out to be superficial. It was tough but she was determined and brave enough to face the truth of the matter.
She discovered there was a huge misalignment between her personal values and the company’s ethos. But did that mean she couldn’t perform as CEO? Or did it mean that she would be in the perfect position to influence change?
Gaining clarity about her values and motivations gave her the confidence to make the right decision. And she has no regrets!
What would you have done?