Credit to Bob Biehl             

We need to ask good questions to make  good decisions but not every question in this list will help you in every situation.  This is simply a checklist to help you from overlooking important considerations.      

1.  How will this decision impact all the people involved?  

2.  What will be the long term impact of this decision?

3.  Have I written down the basic issues involved in this decision?

4.  At it’s essence–in one sentence–what is the decision I’m really facing?  What is the bottom line?

5.  Am I dealng with a cause or a symptom?  A means or an end?

6.  Am I thinking about this situation with a clear head or am I fatigued, angry, emotional or stressed out to the point that I shouldn’t be making a major decision?  

7.  Should I seek outside counsel from godly counsel?  Avoid seeking out friends or family that can’t be objective as someone on the outside? 

8.  What decision would I expect from the 3 most respected Christian leaders that I know?  

9.  Is this decision consistent with my core values?

10.  Will this decision help to maximize my strengths?  

11.  Is this the decision I would make if our budget was twice as large as it is?  Half as large?  Five times as large?  Is it the decision I would make if we had twice as many staff members?

12.  What would happen if I did not make this decision at this time?  Is this the best timing to make it?  If not now, why?

13.  Is this decision really appropriate in scope and size to the situation we face?  Am I possibly hunting an elephant with a BB gun or a rabbit with a cannon?

14.  Should we write a policy about this decision to guide us in similar situations in the future?

15.  Have I given myself 3 days after making this decision to settle in my mind?  After three days do I have any doubt or do I have a peace that surpasses all understanding?

As you face major decisions in your life there can be other lingering questions.  Sometimes you may lack the discipline to go through the process but it will be well worth the effort.  Sometimes we can miss a gift from God (James 1:17) because we rush this process and therefore don’t make good decisions.   I encourage you to look at these questions and others as you transform your leadership.