Leadership Essentials: Discernment
The Quiet Power of Discernment
Discernment doesn’t get enough credit in leadership circles.
It’s not loud. It’s not fast. It doesn’t show up well on performance dashboards.
But it’s foundational.
Good judgment builds trust—across, up, and down. And it’s not something you magically gain with seniority.
Discernment is earned.
It comes from:
Experience that taught you not everything needs a reaction.
Values that help you know what actually matters.
Clear thinking that cuts through urgency.
Problem-solving that weighs second- and third-order consequences.
I’ve worked with leaders who were decisive, confident, and clear—but lacked discernment.
They made calls too quickly. They forced decisions when the right move was patience. They confused fast answers with strong leadership.
The result? Momentum without direction. Urgency without understanding. And teams that didn’t feel heard.
In contrast, the leaders I trusted most took time to think. They asked better questions. They listened closely. They invited debate. And they didn’t panic when things weren’t black and white.
You could feel their calm. Their clarity. Their steadiness.
That’s discernment. And it’s a skill.
Here are a few ways I’ve worked to strengthen it myself:
Pause before responding. Ask: Does this need a decision right now?
Scan for impact. Who will this affect? What happens next?
Name your values. What are you optimizing for? What matters more than speed?
Check your ego. Are you reacting to regain control—or leading from conviction?
Get more input. Bring in quiet voices. Push beyond the obvious answer.
Discernment isn’t about hesitation. It’s about precision.
And it’s one of the most underrated leadership essentials we have.