You can’t please everyone

One of the rules of leadership, or at least it seems like a rule, is that you can’t please everyone.

Decisions are to be made for the best interest of the collective whole. You will always have those that disagree, or downright hate the decision that is made.

There is many a day that I want to please everyone. The chances of that happening are about as high as learning to fly without wings. When you are a leader, you have to learn that your decisions might tick off more than a couple of people.

How to minimize the guilt:

1. Be confident in your decision. Do the research, make sure your decision is based on as many facts as possible. If you don’t have all the necessary information, still launch (ode to Seth Godin.) If you wait until you have all the facts, you’ll never start.

2. Educate everyone on your decision. You need to share why you’ve made a particular decision to everyone involved. They still may not like it, but at least they won’t feel like they’re getting the mushroom treatment.

3. Be open to suggested ideas. Possibly, a slight variation of your decision will satisfy your detractors, while still accomplishing what your original decision offered. As a leader, you must be open to suggestions, but still act on what you feel is the best decision.

There’s a reason why you are a leader. Your actions and words are always under review, but be confident in doing the best you can, because that’s what you should do anyway.