Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden How to Make High-Quality Decisions
Feb 26, 2026
They explore five learnable traits that improve decision-making in uncertain times. Topics include viewing change positively, reframing challenges as opportunities, and tolerating uncertainty through experiments. They cover becoming fluent in failure and using grounded optimism to drive action. Practical focus is on acting, testing, learning, and avoiding paralysis.
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View Change As Positive
- Effective decision makers view change positively instead of seeing it as a threat.
- Craig Dowden cites MIT Sloan research where 70% claim to view change positively, but many actually manage or avoid it when tested.
Check Your True Attitude Toward Change
- Ask yourself whether you view change as an opportunity or a threat to reveal authentic responses.
- Craig Dowden points out self-serving bias: many claim positivity but admit to coping or avoiding change under pressure.
Reframe Challenges As Opportunities
- Top decision makers frame unexpected challenges as opportunities rather than problems.
- The study found almost three quarters agree uncertainty brings possibilities, aligning with growth-mindset research.