Mastering Change Management: The Power of Stabilization in Decision-Making

In my three decades of consulting experience coaching high-profile CEOs and C-suite executives, I've encountered numerous instances where emotions run high, and decisions are made impulsively. Recently, during a coaching call with a partner at a prominent private equity fund, a situation unfolded that underscored the importance of stabilizing first when managing change.

The partner, concerned about a note from a junior partner that left him upset and angry, contemplated terminating the long-term relationship they had shared, marked by both highs and lows. In the heat of the moment, he lost sight of the positives and could only see his anger attached to the individual in question. The knee-jerk reaction was to terminate the relationship swiftly.

In such reactive moments, I often emphasize the critical need to stabilize. Any decision made from an agitated or reactive state is inherently suboptimal. To make sound decisions, one must operate from a place of stability, because only in stability does clarity prevail. In the tumultuous waves of strong emotions, our perceptions become distorted, and we tend to believe in realities and narratives that might not be true.

In this specific case, the client agreed to give the situation some space. He agreed to implement some experiments to address the concerns present in the relationship and turned an emotional situation into a set of strategic moves. This approach allowed for a more thoughtful and measured evaluation of the dynamics at play.

The key takeaway is that decisions should not be rushed. By stabilizing first, you become more decisive and are able to comprehensively consider all the intellectual, experiential, and emotional factors. This approach ensures that the decision-making process is anchored in a stable foundation, resulting in a higher quality decision.

Decisions, I believe, aren't made—they are revealed. Paying close attention to the situation allows the decision to become obvious over time. However, this level of attentiveness is impossible when one is upset; the emotional turbulence makes it too difficult to discern the subtleties of the situation.

The mastery of change management lies in the ability to stabilize first. By doing so, leaders empower themselves to make decisions from a place of clarity, ensuring that the choices made are not regrettable but rather the result of a thoughtful and stable deliberation process. This approach transforms decision-making from a reactive exercise to a strategic revelation, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes in the complex landscape of executive leadership.