--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Inability to make decisions is one of the…" description: "\"Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than lack of specific know..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg" --- # Inability to make decisions is one of the principal… ![“Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than lack of specific knowledge or technical know-how as an indicator of leadership failure.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg) > “Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than lack of specific knowledge or technical know-how as an indicator of leadership failure.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders often fail because they cannot decide, which is more damaging than lacking knowledge or technical skill. **In simple terms:** Decision paralysis hurts leaders more than missing expertise. Key Takeaway Improve decision habits quickly. Themes leadership decision making failure executive performance Mood concerned determined Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - board meetings - crisis management - strategic planning - team direction Key Concepts cognitive bias risk assessment accountability Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice faster, better decisions? - What safeguards prevent hasty choices? A Different Perspective Decisions can be rushed, leading to poor outcomes if not balanced with analysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Deficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deficiency/) [Deficiency Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deficiency-decision-2740999/) [Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives/) [Executives Fail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives-fail-2740997/) [Fail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fail/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Inability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inability/) [Indicators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indicators/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Leadership Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-failure-220330/) [Principal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principal/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reasons Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasons-executives-2740998/) ## Related quotes > [Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-the-principal-reasons-2/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“I’ve seen so many otherwise very talented executives fail to see how a large amount of deals and revenue coming in now were attributable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marshall/i-ve-seen-so-many-otherwise-very-talented-executives-fail-to-see-how/) [Sebastian Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marshall/) > [The reasons why executives are scared of social selling are well documented. That being said, there are some hugely successful global business leaders using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-rasmussen/the-reasons-why-executives-are-scared-of-social-selling-are-well/) [Bruce Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-rasmussen/) > [“The most common leadership failure stems from trying to apply technical solutions to adaptive challenges.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-a-heifetz/the-most-common-leadership-failure-stems-from-trying-to-apply/) [Ronald A. Heifetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-a-heifetz/) > [“Burnout isn't a badge of honor; it's a sign of poor system design and leadership failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-born/burnout-isn-t-a-badge-of-honor-it-s-a-sign-of-poor-system-design-and/) [Greg Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-born/) > [“Trust is equal parts character and competence... You can look at any leadership failure, and it's always a failure of one or the other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trust-is-equal-parts-character-and-competence-you-can-look-at-any/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The most serious failure of leadership is the failure to foresee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-greenleaf/the-most-serious-failure-of-leadership-is-the-failure-to-foresee/) [Robert K. Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-greenleaf/) > [Ninety-nine percent of leadership failures are failures of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-schwarzkopf/ninety-nine-percent-of-leadership-failures-are-failures-of-character/) [Norman Schwarzkopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-schwarzkopf/) > [The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure... It is a sign that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-fact-that-we-are-here-today-to-debate-raising-america-s-debt-2/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. America has a debt problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-fact-that-we-are-here-today-to-debate-raising-america-s-debt/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Thus, flexibility, as displayed by water, is a sign of life. Rigidity, its opposite, is an indicator of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-lawlor/thus-flexibility-as-displayed-by-water-is-a-sign-of-life-rigidity-its/) [Anthony Lawlor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-lawlor/) > [I don't think a comedian should even be concerned with being cool or sexy, as soon as you do, you aren't a comedian any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-don-t-think-a-comedian-should-even-be-concerned-with-being-cool-or/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [At independence Kenya's economic indicators were equal to those of South Korea, but 45 years down the road, Korea's economy is 40 times that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raila-odinga/at-independence-kenya-s-economic-indicators-were-equal-to-those-of/) [Raila Odinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raila-odinga/) > [Money is a poor indicator of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/money-is-a-poor-indicator-of-success/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ina-may-gaskin/the-way-a-culture-treats-women-in-birth-is-a-good-indicator-of-how/) [Ina May Gaskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ina-may-gaskin/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Decision quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [“How can you make an informed decision about whether to save the world if you never leave your tiny part of it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/how-can-you-make-an-informed-decision-about-whether-to-save-the-world/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [Love is the foundation from which your decisions about your life should be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-the-foundation-from-which-your-decisions-about-your-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Indecision becomes decision with time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/indecision-becomes-decision-with-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you think of people as making decisions actively, every time we think about the cup of coffee, we say, "How much will I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/if-you-think-of-people-as-making-decisions-actively-every-time-we/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [It was a conscious decision on my part to take up fewer films. And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [“it is either you happen to life or life happens to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sesan-kareem/it-is-either-you-happen-to-life-or-life-happens-to-you/) [Sesan Kareem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sesan-kareem/) > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [In New York, you are constantly faced with this very urgent decision that you have to make, about every twenty minutes...you have to decide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cross/in-new-york-you-are-constantly-faced-with-this-very-urgent-decision/) [David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cross/) [Browse all 9,145 Decision quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than lack of specific knowledge or technical know-how as an indicator of leadership failure.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. Maxwell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-the-principal-reasons/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Decision" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-the-principal-reasons/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3d/john-c-maxwell-113_decision_inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-th_283150.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making…” — John C. Maxwell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John C. Maxwell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Inability to make decisions is one...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-the-principal-reasons/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/inability-to-make-decisions-is-one-of-the-principal-reasons/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```