"Leaders are truly set apart by their ability to make tough decisions respectfully and diplomatically. Last year we had to lay off 25% of our sales team. I knew that there would be feelings hurt and it was challenging to do. I got through it by reminding myself that I am the leader for a reason. I needed to trust my judgment but still be able to justify my decisions in the end. Many times when tough choices are in front of me, I will back up my gut feeling with data analysis. If the data supports my intuition, I know what the answer or decision needs to be."

"In a team environment, I believe that it's incredibly important to bring any questions or concerns to the team before making a decision. It's crucial for a leader to make sure that everyone's voice is heard and that the problem is adequately discussed. Ultimately, I believe that it's on the leader to make the final decision, having thoughtfully weighed all the options and opinions of the team members. And finally, solid communication and developing a plan to put the decision into action are critical."