Ever feel frozen in a decision?
Remember the game freeze tag?
You’d be running full speed, then suddenly frozen - stuck in place, waiting for someone to come unfreeze you.
Leadership can feel like that sometimes.
You’re moving, making progress, then a big decision hits and you stop. Not sure what to do next. Not sure what the right move is. Just…stuck.
And unlike on the playground, no one’s coming to tag you back in.
When you step into leadership, you quickly realize that decisions are your new full-time job. From hiring to priorities to budget shifts—people are looking to you.
And while the weight of that can be energizing, it can also leave you paralyzed.
4 Reasons Leaders Freeze
1. Fear of getting it wrong – “What if I mess this up?”
Fear kicks our brains into threat mode, and suddenly, every decision feels risky. We imagine worst-case scenarios and start avoiding the choice altogether. But the real risk is inaction. That’s when opportunities pass us by.
2. Information gaps – “I just don’t know enough yet.”
Sometimes we truly don’t have the information we need. And sometimes, we say we need more information when really we’re using it to avoid moving forward. Data-gathering can be useful, or it can be procrastination in disguise.
3. Approval anxiety – “What will people think?”
When we prioritize others’ approval over sound judgment, we’re on a slippery slope. As a kid, I would’ve loved you for serving popsicles for dinner, but it wouldn’t have been in my best interest. As leaders, we have to think beyond what’s popular and do what’s right for the long-term.
4. Certainty addiction – “I want to be absolutely sure this is right.”
Wish you had a crystal ball? You’re not alone. But clarity rarely comes before the decision—it comes after. Waiting for 100% certainty will keep you stuck. Most decisions don’t come with guarantees. You have to make the call to find out what happens next.
So, how do you get unstuck?
Start by naming what’s happening. Are you missing critical data - or dodging discomfort?
Then take one small step forward. That might mean gathering input, gut-checking your assumptions, or simply deciding to act even when it’s imperfect.
Most decisions can be adjusted. What matters is staying in motion.
Leadership isn’t about always being right. It’s about being brave enough to decide, learn, and adjust.
So…
What’s the decision you’ve been avoiding?
And what’s one step you can take today to get unstuck?
Ready to move forward?
Sometimes a 1:1 conversation is the fastest way to break through the fog.
Book a free 30-minute strategy session with me to talk through what’s keeping you stuck - and explore what clarity looks like on the other side.
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