𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

We all make countless 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 every day—decisions rooted in data, strategy, and analysis-personally and professionally. But there’s another tool in our leadership arsenal that often goes overlooked: 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲. 

While these words (𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲) often get used interchangeably, language has power and the distinction between the two is critical, especially when it comes to how we show up as leaders in and outside the workplace.

𝗔 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 typically involves weighing pros and cons, analyzing information, and selecting the best route based on the circumstances. For example, “𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧” implies a careful evaluation of the options. It’s strategic, calculated, and logical.

𝗔 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲, on the other hand, goes deeper. It’s not tied to the data—it’s tied to your commitment. A choice says, ‘𝗡𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲.’ It’s a powerful stand to take because it comes from within, reflecting your values and priorities rather than the external situation.

For example: “𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧.” The message here is clear: despite the external pressure, you’ve claimed ownership of your priorities. You’re making a commitment to something that matters, and you will make it work.

This distinction matters in leadership because choices drive a new level of energy, empowerment, motivation, clarity, and resilience. When you choose a path—not because the data tells you it’s the best route, but because it aligns with your vision and priorities—you take ownership. You stop waiting for perfect conditions or ideal circumstances, and you make things happen because you say they will.

When humans operate from a place of choice:

💡 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀.You trust yourself to navigate challenges, even if the path isn’t obvious.

💡 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀. Your focus shifts to making the choice work, instead of questioning it.

💡 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀. Your clarity and conviction empower your team and people around you to take ownership of their roles and decisions.

Choice is a commitment to your leadership and to the impact you want to create. It’s not about allowing the circumstances to guide you—it’s about owning the circumstances and moving through them anyway.

The next time you face a crossroads, ask yourself: “What am I choosing?” Because when you choose to own the moment, the ripple effect is transformative—for you, your team, and your results.

What will you choose today?