Difficult Decisions
Ready — General Dwight D. Eisenhower faced a crucial decision on the evening of June 4, 1944. As Supreme Allied Commander, he was responsible for launching Operation Overlord, the massive Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France in World War II. Everything was ready except the weather. Violent winds, heavy seas, and low clouds threatened the invasion scheduled for June 5. Eisenhower postponed the operation for twenty-four hours.
Set — Meteorologists predicted a brief improvement in the weather on June 6, but conditions remained far from ideal. Delaying longer could mean waiting weeks for another favorable combination of tides, moonlight, and weather. Eisenhower gathered his senior commanders at Southwick House near Portsmouth, England, during the early morning hours of June 5. He listened as his advisers discussed the risks. After weighing the available information, he announced, "O.K., we'll go."
Eisenhower's leadership offers lessons for anyone facing difficult decisions.
Gather good information. Eisenhower listened to weather experts, military planners, and experienced commanders before deciding.
Listen to people who disagree. Eisenhower encouraged honest assessments of the risks and listened to differing viewpoints.
Decide to act. Eisenhower could not guarantee favorable weather or victory; he had to act when circumstances were less than ideal.
Stop deliberating. Eisenhower recognized postponement carried risks of its own and knew it was time to decide.
Grow! — On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. D-Day became a turning point in the liberation of Western Europe. Sometimes information is incomplete. Trusted advisers disagree. The risks are substantial. At such moments, waiting is as dangerous as acting. Leadership requires more than good intentions. It requires prayer, careful analysis, wise counsel, and the courage to decide.
Two Questions
What decision are you postponing?
When are you going to decide?