James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, offers a simple but powerful way to think about decisions:
Some decisions are hats. Some are haircuts. Some are tattoos.
That distinction matters. Too many leaders overthink the small stuff and underthink the big stuff.
They hesitate on decisions that are easily reversible — and then rush through decisions that leave a permanent mark. The best executives develop decision discipline.
They ask:
- Is this a HAT decision?
- Low risk. Easy to reverse. Try it. Test it. Move quickly.
- Is this a HAIRCUT decision?
- It may be uncomfortable if it doesn’t work, but the cost is temporary. Learn from it. Adjust. Keep going.
- Is this a TATTOO decision?
- High consequence. Hard to reverse. Slow down. Seek counsel. Think several moves ahead.
The point is not to avoid risk. The point is to match the speed of the decision to the consequence of the decision.
Leaders lose momentum when they treat every decision like a tattoo. Leaders create damage when they treat tattoo decisions like hats.
CALL TO ACTION:
This week, look at one decision sitting on your desk and ask yourself: Is this a hat, a haircut, or a tattoo? Then act accordingly.
Final Question:
Where in your leadership right now are you moving too slowly on a hat — or too quickly on a tattoo?
