You’re in the right place if you’re trying to decide what happens next for your business — but none of the options in front of you feel like a confident yes.

Some owners considering an exit, succession, or other high-stakes choice for their family business know exactly what they want to do. They make their decision with confidence and move forward.

Others get stalled. Not because they aren’t decisive, but because they don't see an option they can confidently say yes to.

If you're in the latter group, this video is for you.

I’ll share four ways people typically approach a decision when they feel stalled and an important question each approach leaves unanswered. 

Then I’ll introduce how you can shift these approaches to address the questions and uncover an option you can confidently choose.

Since this is a short introduction video, it is fairly high-level, but at the end I'll share how we can apply these ideas to your specific decision if you'd like to explore it further.

Ready? Let's dive in.

The Questions Your Approach Needs to Answer

When none of the options in front of you feels like a confident yes, it makes sense to wonder: what do I do? You might look for another option. You might choose to compromise and select one of the options you have. You might put the decision off. Or you may delegate the decision to someone you trust.

None of those approaches are necessarily wrong. But each does raise an important question.

If you keep looking for another option, how do you know when to stop searching?

If you compromise and choose one of the options you already have, how do you know you’re compromising on the right thing?

If you delay making the decision, what will be different when you come back to it?

And if you delegate it, how does the person making the decision know what you need to be satisfied with the outcome? 

The Shift: Define What the Decision Needs to Deliver

You may be surprised to learn that all four questions are addressed by a single shift in your decision-making process: Defining what the decision needs to deliver.

This is deeper than a wish list or a list of must-haves, priorities, or preferences. It’s about defining, precisely and rigorously, the standard an acceptable option must meet.

That standard captures the realities and needs of your particular situation and decision — including what needs to work for your business, your family, and you.

Once your decision standard exists, you can easily share it with others and can use it to evaluate your options.

And even if none of the options you see meets the standard, you’ll know exactly how they fall short. That gives a basis for identifying — or creating — options that do meet the mark.

Even delaying the decision becomes more purposeful. Instead of simply waiting, you can identify what needs to change or what you still need to learn before you revisit it.

By defining what the decision needs to deliver, you have a standard you and others can use to uncover an option that actually works for you. 

Explore Your Decision: The Decision Opportunity Scan

Now, you may be wondering: “What would defining a standard for my decision actually look like? What specific shifts do I need to make?” I can’t answer those questions in this video.

But it is something we can look at together during a 1:1 15-Minute Decision Opportunity Scan. During your Scan, we won't brainstorm or select an option. Instead, the Scan will pinpoint where your approach needs to shift so you can uncover an option you can confidently say “yes” to.

Sound interesting? Scroll down below to select a date and time.

I look forward to speaking with you!