Episode 97

full
Published on:

21st Sep 2026

Decisive Doesn’t Have to Mean Fast

We tend to admire decisive leaders. They make the call, choose a direction and move.

But decisiveness and speed aren't the same thing.

In this episode, Nick Sellers explores why experienced leaders may sometimes take longer to decide, not because they lack confidence, but because they are more aware of consequences, assumptions, competing priorities and the people affected by their decisions.

He looks at the important difference between thoughtful delay and avoidance, and why good judgement means knowing which decisions deserve five minutes and which deserve five days.

Nick also considers the danger of senior leaders becoming isolated from challenge, the pressure to appear certain, and why seeking wise counsel does not mean giving away accountability.

The episode closes with four practical questions to help leaders improve the quality of their thinking before making an important decision.

In this episode

00:00 – Welcome and Setup

00:11 – Decisive vs Fast

01:31 – When Hesitation Helps

02:50 – Delay or Avoidance

03:57 – Match Decision to Risk

04:53 – Seek Counsel, Not Isolation

06:29 – Coaching for Clarity

07:35 – Pressure to Seem Certain

08:41 – Four Questions, Then Decide

10:03 – Weekly Reflection and Close

10:26 – Subscribe and Release Info

Four questions to ask before an important decision

  • What am I currently assuming to be true?
  • What would challenge the conclusion I am leaning towards?
  • Who could help me see something I am currently missing?
  • Do I genuinely need more thinking, or do I simply need to decide?

If you want a space to think something through properly, challenge your assumptions and get clearer on the decision in front of you, you can book a conversation with Nick.

Important links

🌐 Website: https://nicksellers.com

📅 Book a discovery conversation: https://tidycal.com/nicksellers/discoverycall

📰 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.nicksellers.com/newsletter

💼 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicksellerscoach

#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #DecisionMaking #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #Management #LeadershipSkills #ScalingNewHeights

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About the Podcast

Scaling New Heights: Leadership at the Next Level
Taking Leaders Beyond Limits, One Step at a Time
In Scaling New Heights: Leadership at the Next Level, we guide business leaders and entrepreneurs from overwhelm and “stuck” to new heights of success and achievement. Through insightful interviews, expert advice, and actionable strategies, this podcast is your go-to resource for breaking out of chaos and elevating your leadership. Whether you’re navigating tough decisions, managing fast growth, or striving for work-life balance, we help you unlock your potential and develop the mindset needed to excel. Join us as we share stories and insights from executive and business coaching, and learn how you can take your leadership to the next level.

About your host

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Nick Sellers

Even leaders need a helping hand to achieve their potential. I bring decades of corporate experience and a keen interest in people to my coaching and mentoring activities. And I really like to help those who want to grow and develop.
For more information, you can find me on LinkedIn and schedule a quick call.