A team can’t outgrow its leader. Your growth determines your team’s growth. And one of the biggest areas of growth? Decision-making.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Decisions (Clarity & Ownership)
Not all decisions are the same. Some are like walking through a one-way door—once you step through, there’s no going back. Others? They’re two-way doors—if you don’t like what you see, just step back out.
- Type 1 decisions are big, high-stakes, and hard to undo. These set the foundation for your business, relationships, and life. Think: “Will you marry me?” Once you’re in, you’re in.
- Type 2 decisions are flexible, lower-risk, and should be made quickly. They let you experiment, adjust, and learn. Think: “Should we test a new marketing strategy?” If it flops, no big deal—you pivot.
The problem? Too many people treat every decision like a Type 1, and it grinds everything to a halt.
The Core Value Killer
When I confuse Type 2 decisions for Type 1, I kill momentum and violate every one of my core values.
- Fear-Based Culture (Attitude Violation) – If every decision feels like life or death, people stop taking initiative.
- Decision Paralysis (Action Violation) – Overanalyzing and hesitation lead to missed opportunities.
- Overloading Leadership (Accountability Violation) – Leaders get buried in decisions others should handle.
- Lost Speed & Missed Opportunities (Improvement Violation) – Business thrives on speed, but delays cost progress.
- Wasted Energy & Time (Service Violation) – Teams spin their wheels in endless debates instead of moving forward.
The Opportunity Tree
Life is like a tree full of opportunities. Every decision takes you further down a branch. Some branches split in multiple directions, giving you room to move, adjust, and grow. Others? They end, forcing you to either stay put or cut them off entirely.
Type 1 decisions are those branches you can’t retreat from—once you go out, there’s no coming back. They shape the structure of your life, your business, and your relationships.
Type 2 decisions, though, are branches that let you explore. If you don’t like where they lead, you can back up and take a different path.
The biggest mistake? Treating every decision like a trunk or an irreversible branch. Growth doesn’t come from standing still—it comes from taking steps, learning, and adjusting along the way.
So, next time you’re at a crossroads, ask yourself: Is this a Type 1 or Type 2 decision? Because knowing the difference is what keeps your tree growing strong.