Your Next Clear Move

Trust Yourself, Lead Clearly

Debbie Peterson of Getting to Clarity

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Feeling stuck between overthinking and action? We dig into why so many new leaders freeze on decisions and show how clarity—not confidence—creates consistent, smart moves. Rather than chasing the perfect answer, we walk through a values-first approach that filters choices fast, reduces noise, and builds momentum you can sustain.

We start by reframing the real problem: when everything feels urgent, nothing is clear. You’ll learn how to define three core leadership values and the top three priorities that guide your next step, not your entire career. From there, we shift the story on failure. Mistakes become feedback, not verdicts—data you can use to refine your approach with less stress and more speed. It’s a practical, human way to lead, especially when the stakes feel high and time is tight.

To make it actionable, we share a five-step decision framework: clarify the goal, gather only essential information, trust your gut when logic and intuition align, act and adjust, and seek support without outsourcing your decision. Then we put it on a clock with a 48-hour plan to break indecision: name one avoided choice, run it through your clarity filter, set a deadline, move, and review what worked. You’ll leave with prompts to keep your learning loop tight and your progress visible to your team.

If clarity-led leadership resonates with you, subscribe for more practical tools, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your next clear move is closer than you think—let’s make it together.

SPEAKER_00:

Hey, hello, and welcome back. I am Debbie Peterson of Getting to Clarity, and this is another episode of the Getting the Clarity Show. This is the place that you come if you want the tips, tools, and techniques to create more of an impact in your leadership, your business, your career, but with less of a sacrifice in your life. And today we are talking about trusting yourself. Clear moves for new leaders who want to make decisions with confidence. So stay tuned. Welcome to the Getting to Clarity Podcast.

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The place where busy leaders discover how to create more success in their leadership journey with less sacrifice in their life.

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Here's your host, Debbie Peterson of Getting to Clarity.

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All right, let's dive in. So, what exactly are we talking about? You know, if you are struggling to make decisions, well, welcome to the club, because I think we all do. But especially as a new leader, it can be a little more tricky. It is what some people will think more about confidence, but in my opinion, I think it's more about clarity, of course. So if you're new to a leadership role, chances are that you have found yourself in a uh a quandary sometime, making decisions. You know, you're in a space of indecision. You overthink, you ruminate, you wait, and you question whether you're doing it right or hesitate. Am I going to do it right? No action being taken. But here's what I want you to hear loud and clear, please. Your leadership isn't about being perfect, it's about being clear enough to move forward, no matter how incrementally that is. And yes, you can get there. And I am delighted to help you in whatever way I can. So, why does decision making feel so hard sometimes? You know, when you're in a new role, especially if you're stepping into a new supervisory role, a new management role, um, you're new to leadership, it brings a lot of new opportunities. So that in and of itself is a lot to process. But, you know, let's be honest, it also comes with a heavy dose of pressure. One of the biggest hurdles that I see with the new leaders that I work with is decision paralysis. You know, the getting into that analysis, paralysis that you're just thinking and evaluating and there's no action. So if you find yourself there, you're not alone in second guessing yourself. We all do it. But many high-achieving professionals, um, especially the ones that I've had the privilege to coach, you know, they're in the same boat. But here's the deal: it's not a time problem or even a confidence problem in my book. It's a clarity problem. So here's what I mean. When you're not clear on what truly matters, then everything feels urgent. That means that everything is what it is being factored into your decisions. So when you're in that space, every decision feels high stakes. You end up stuck, you end up spinning or playing it safe. And that's not the kind of leadership that creates momentum or at least sustainable momentum. So I want to share with you some mindset shifts that can help. So mindset shift number one: clarity makes decisions easier and smarter. So clarity is your decision-making superpower, right? When you know what matters, when you know your values, who you are as a leader, when you understand your priorities, when you are clear on your bigger picture vision, then decisions become a whole lot simpler. So let's say, for instance, you're dealing with a team issue and you hesitate because you don't want to rock the boat. Um, but if your leadership values, the things that you value that are important to you as a leader, is around communication, that you are open, that you are transparent. You know, a lot of people say, I'm gonna be transparent. But if you're not doing anything about it, then you're actually working against your values. So if your leadership value is open communication, accountability, then the decision becomes clearer. You have to address it. You have to address it directly and respectfully. That's a clear move. You know, when you've got someone on your team that you need to have a difficult conversation with, that is your opportunity. So what I want you to consider is that it's not everything that you focus on. Your clear move is when you find yourself in a situation like this, that you need to do something that maybe you're resisting, that you don't want to do, have a difficult conversation. Um identify your top three leadership values. What is important to you? What is most important to you about being a leader? What is it that you value that must be present? How do you operate? Okay, and also get clear on your top three priorities. No more than that. Okay. So we're taking a narrow view because when you're stuck, you can consider those three and ask yourself the decision that you want to make, what it is that you probably need to do. Does it align with what you say matters most? Are you going to be walking your talk? And the key is you don't need to focus on everything, just the right things for the move that you want to make. Mindset shift number two from fear of failing to leading with learning. So here's another shift to make. Stop looking at mistakes as failures. They're feedback. That's it. They're a piece of information you get back after taking an action. They are growth, they are part of the deal. So, two of the mindset shifts or principles that I teach related to NLP is one, there is no failure, there is only feedback. And two, you are in charge of your mind and therefore your results. So, like I said, a mistake is merely a decision that didn't serve you well. You can make a different decision the next time, and you'll have new updated information. And when you shift your mindset to look at that way, then you're shifting your results too. So instead of asking, oh my goodness, what if I get this wrong? Take appropriate action, knowing that no matter what, you're going to learn something new when you take this step. You're not here to be perfect, you're not here to be flawless. You are here to learn, to adapt, to move forward with more clarity each time. So, what is the next clear step? How do you decide with more confidence? Well, if you're ready to start building real confidence in your leadership decisions, here's how. I'm going to give you a framework. One, clarify your goal. Before you make the decision, zoom out. What is the bigger picture that you're working toward? Okay, let that be your filter, your guide. Two, gather, don't drown. You don't need all the information. You just need the essential information. What do you need? Then move. Okay. You get it, then you move. Clarity isn't found in more and more research, it's found in action. Three, trust your gut. Really, trust your gut. Your instincts are built from experience. So even if you don't realize it yet, if a decision feels right logically and intuitively, trust yourself. Number four, take the step, then adjust. That's feedback. No decision is permanent. Make a clear move and course correct if you need to. That is how leaders operate. At least those who are embodying clarity-driven leadership and want to be more confident. Number five, seek support, not permission. So talk it through with someone, a mentor, a trusted colleague, but don't outsource the decision. The decision is yours. You got this. This is your leadership journey. So if you are ready for your next clear move, here is a simple plan to put this all into practice. Within the next 48 hours, write down one decision you've been avoiding. Be honest. What is it that's keeping you stuck? Run it through your clarity filter. Does it align with your values, your vision, and what matters most? Set a deadline and make the decision and take action within 48 hours. Don't wait for confidence. Build it as you go. And lastly, reflect and refine. After you ask yourself, what worked, what would I do differently the next time? That is how your clarity compounds. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the next clear step. And you are absolutely capable right now to do that. You've got this, and I've got your back. If you need a little help, hit reply or message me. I would be delighted to be there for you. And if you would like more clarity-driven leadership resources, head on over to my website at www.petersonspeaks.com. And until the next time, be good yourself. And here is wishing you all the clarity you deserve. Take care and bye-bye for now.

SPEAKER_01:

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Getting to Clarity Podcast with Debbie Peterson.

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If you enjoyed this show, please rate and recommend it on iTunes or wherever you enjoy your podcast.

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To learn more about how you can bring Debbie and her transformational clarity leadership strategies to your organization, visit Debbie Petersonspeaks.com.