Ever wonder how some leaders breeze through the day, while others spend 20 minutes debating whether a bar graph or pie chart will better "tell the story"?

The difference isn’t a superhuman brain—it’s knowing how to protect your mental energy for what actually matters.

Decision fatigue is real, and it’s not just making you tired—it’s making you worse at leading. Your brain can only handle so much decision-making before it starts phoning it in. Leadership today isn’t about making every call; it’s about using your energy with purpose. If you’re ready to stop burning out and start leading smarter, let’s get into it.

The Problem: Why Leaders Get Stuck

Every decision you make—whether it’s game-changing or just deciding if Karen gets another extension—drains cognitive fuel. Over time, this constant churn leads to poor choices, procrastination, and, let’s be honest, staring at your inbox like it owes you money.

But here’s the kicker: without clarity and focus, decision-making becomes reactive. Instead of solving problems with curiosity and creativity, you’re just checking boxes. And when that happens, you’re not leading—you’re just surviving.

Three Strategies for Smarter Leadership

1. Automate the Obvious

Here’s a secret: not every decision needs your attention. Set up default choices for anything repetitive. Weekly check-ins? Same time every week. Expense approvals? Streamline it. Steve Jobs knew this—that’s why he wore the same turtleneck every day.

Automation creates clarity. It clears the weeds so you can focus on the bigger decisions—the ones that actually require your brilliance.

2. Make Big Decisions When You’re Fresh

Your brain isn’t a 24/7 powerhouse. Neuroscience says you’re sharpest earlier in the day, so save your most important decisions for when you’re running on a full tank. You also know yourself best. Despite what neuroscience says, my creative hours are in the evening. New blogs, new frameworks...they won't come to me in the traditional workday. I make intentional time for this unique focus time. 

The big stuff—strategic shifts, key hires, whether your team needs to pivot—deserves your prime mental hours. Leave the trivia (like approving office snacks) for when your brain is running on fumes. Friday is for administrivia for me. You won't see me scheduling 1:1 conversations, new projects, or trying to write content. Not happening. 

3. Use Diverse Input Without Getting Bogged Down

Collaboration doesn’t mean asking everyone. It means inviting the right people—the ones who’ll challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and bring value to the table. That’s where inclusion matters—not as a buzzword, but as a strategic asset.

But here’s the catch: collaboration isn’t consensus. If every decision requires a vote, you’re not leading; you’re mediating. Use diverse input wisely to inform your decisions, not paralyze them.

You might need to check in with yourself. Maybe you're seeking approval because independence feels like an island. Maybe you're deciding in a silo and foregoing integration of other ideas. What feels right and intentional here?

Outsmarting Decision Overload

I try to touch things once and make a decision each time. A big project may take multiple touches, but I try not to just VISIT the project. What's one thing I can do? What's one thing I can delegate? What's something that can be deleted? An email, a meeting, a process that is not serving?

I'll find myself opening a new note to make a new list and catch myself. Stop. Make the phone call - move this forward. Stop. Send the invoice vs. a note to do it later.

Put boundaries on your time. Random "Can I pick your brain?" coffee? No. Get clarity on the need. Think about who is asking. Are you the right person? Is an in person the right format? That's 2 hours of your week by the time you commute, talk, commute. 

Keep your leadership, professionally and personally, aligned with your purpose in the world. 

Lead With Clarity, Not Chaos

Leadership isn’t about being busy—it’s about being intentional. By automating routine choices, using your peak mental hours for critical decisions, and leveraging diverse perspectives, you’ll create the clarity you need to lead with focus and impact.

And that’s how leaders turn potential into progress—not by doing everything, but by doing the right things.

Ready to sharpen your decision-making skills? Connect with us here, or book a call using the button at the top of the page. Want notifications when new webinars and content appear? Take a moment and text QUEST to 66866.