How did past American presidents gather information and avoid pitfalls like groupthink and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-confirmation-bias' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-confirmation-bias","linkCopy":"confirmation bias","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>confirmation bias</a>? How did they explore possible alternatives to the conventional wisdom of their day? Look to American presidential history for examples of decision-making in the face of challenges. Here are some insights into the decision-making process from the lives of American presidents:

1. __Accept that you won’t get it right every time__. Franklin Roosevelt once said: “I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat. What I seek is the highest possible batting average, not only for myself, but for the team.” By accepting the fact that he wouldn’t always make good decisions, FDR freed himself from the kind of self-doubt that can paralyze leaders in moments of crisis.
2. __Embrace criticism__. Lyndon Johnson is considered to be one of the most successful presidents in terms of domestic policy and one of the most flawed in terms of foreign policy. Lacking the self-confidence he radiated in domestic affairs, his handling of the war in Vietnam will forever remain a scar on his legacy. He narrowed his circle of advisors to only include those who agreed with his ill-fated policy of slowly mounting escalation, a catastrophic course of action. LBJ’s insecurity when it came to Vietnam exposed him to flawed advice from unreliable sources and led him to make bad decisions.
3. __Set your ego aside__. Sometimes, if you care passionately about something, you must sacrifice your own ego to advance its cause. Theodore Roosevelt's decision to challenge his friend and successor, William Howard Taft, for the Republican nomination in 1912 not only split the party—it led to Democrat Woodrow Wilson’s victory and hurt the very progressive cause that Roosevelt symbolized and led.
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The best leaders possess decision-making skills that enable them to reach informed decisions and take action to address problems. Effective decision-making requires confidence, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Learning these skills can make you a better decision-maker.

The decision process varies in practice. Many managers prefer a structured approach, where a fixed set of processes lead to a final decision. Other leaders bounce ideas off a group of people and embrace spontaneity as they seek the right decision. For the most complex decisions, it helps to have a model for human decision-making. To that end, you can look to leaders tasked with making important decisions, including past presidents of the United States. If you mine [presidential history for relevant information about high-stakes decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/doris-kearns-goodwin-teaches-us-presidential-history-and-leadership), you'll find insights that can be applied to your own daily life.

The best leaders possess decision-making skills that enable them to reach informed decisions and take action to address problems. Effective decision-making requires confidence, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Learning these skills can make you a better decision-maker.

The decision process varies in practice. Many managers prefer a structured approach, where a fixed set of processes lead to a final decision. Other leaders bounce ideas off a group of people and embrace spontaneity as they seek the right decision. For the most complex decisions, it helps to have a model for human decision-making. To that end, you can look to leaders tasked with making important decisions, including past presidents of the United States. If you mine [presidential history for relevant information about high-stakes decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/doris-kearns-goodwin-teaches-us-presidential-history-and-leadership), you'll find insights that can be applied to your own daily life.


How to Make Decisions: 3 Tips From Presidential History

How did past American presidents gather information and avoid pitfalls like groupthink and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-confirmation-bias' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-confirmation-bias","linkCopy":"confirmation bias","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>confirmation bias</a>? How did they explore possible alternatives to the conventional wisdom of their day? Look to American presidential history for examples of decision-making in the face of challenges. Here are some insights into the decision-making process from the lives of American presidents:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Accept that you won’t get it right every time. Franklin Roosevelt once said: “I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat. What I seek is the highest possible batting average, not only for myself, but for the team.” By accepting the fact that he wouldn’t always make good decisions, FDR freed himself from the kind of self-doubt that can paralyze leaders in moments of crisis. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Embrace criticism. Lyndon Johnson is considered to be one of the most successful presidents in terms of domestic policy and one of the most flawed in terms of foreign policy. Lacking the self-confidence he radiated in domestic affairs, his handling of the war in Vietnam will forever remain a scar on his legacy. He narrowed his circle of advisors to only include those who agreed with his ill-fated policy of slowly mounting escalation, a catastrophic course of action. LBJ’s insecurity when it came to Vietnam exposed him to flawed advice from unreliable sources and led him to make bad decisions. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Set your ego aside. Sometimes, if you care passionately about something, you must sacrifice your own ego to advance its cause. Theodore Roosevelt&#39;s decision to challenge his friend and successor, William Howard Taft, for the Republican nomination in 1912 not only split the party—it led to Democrat Woodrow Wilson’s victory and hurt the very progressive cause that Roosevelt symbolized and led. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Decision-Making 

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Want to Learn More About Leadership?

The best leaders possess decision-making skills that enable them to reach informed decisions and take action to address problems. Effective decision-making requires confidence, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Learning these skills can make you a better decision-maker.The decision process varies in practice. Many managers prefer a structured approach, where a fixed set of processes lead to a final decision. Other leaders bounce ideas off a group of people and embrace spontaneity as they seek the right decision. For the most complex decisions, it helps to have a model for human decision-making. To that end, you can look to leaders tasked with making important decisions, including past presidents of the United States. If you mine <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/doris-kearns-goodwin-teaches-us-presidential-history-and-leadership' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/doris-kearns-goodwin-teaches-us-presidential-history-and-leadership","linkCopy":"presidential history for relevant information about high-stakes decision-making","category":null}'>presidential history for relevant information about high-stakes decision-making</a>, you&#39;ll find insights that can be applied to your own daily life.

The best leaders possess decision-making skills that enable them to reach informed decisions and take action to address problems. Effective decision-making requires confidence, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Learning these skills can make you a better decision-maker.
The decision process varies in practice. Many managers prefer a structured approach, where a fixed set of processes lead to a final decision. Other leaders bounce ideas off a group of people and embrace spontaneity as they seek the right decision. For the most complex decisions, it helps to have a model for human decision-making. To that end, you can look to leaders tasked with making important decisions, including past presidents of the United States. If you mine presidential history for relevant information about high-stakes decision-making (https://www.masterclass.com/classes/doris-kearns-goodwin-teaches-us-presidential-history-and-leadership), you'll find insights that can be applied to your own daily life.
