Don’t Get Caught Fixin’ to Get Ready: Why Real Leaders Take Action
Growing up in Ferriday, Louisiana, my mom would often remind me with a knowing glance, “Don’t get caught fixin’ to get ready.” It was her way of nudging me to quit stalling and get moving. This old-school wisdom didn’t just shape my childhood; it became foundational to how I approach leadership today. Real leadership isn’t about planning indefinitely—it's about executing decisively.
Too often, leaders become stuck in a perpetual cycle of preparation. We plan, strategize, analyze, then plan some more—hesitant to step forward until conditions feel perfect. But perfection is a myth. Waiting for the ideal moment leads to missed opportunities. Authentic leadership recognizes when it’s time to move from theory into practice.
Taking decisive action builds credibility and trust. Your team looks to you for direction. If they constantly see you hesitating, they'll follow suit, creating a culture where nothing truly gets done. Leadership is contagious. Action inspires action, while hesitation breeds uncertainty. By stepping up promptly, you send a clear message: "I’m confident in this direction, and so should you be."
Consider this: every great achievement in history involved leaders who decided to act despite uncertainties. When Martin Luther King Jr. stood at the Lincoln Memorial, he wasn’t “fixin’ to get ready”—he delivered a vision with conviction. True leaders understand that clarity emerges through action, not just contemplation.
Taking action doesn't mean recklessness. It's about knowing enough to make informed decisions and being courageous enough to course-correct if needed. A leader who acts decisively embraces the possibility of failure, recognizing it as part of growth. Mistakes become stepping stones, not roadblocks. Stagnation, on the other hand, guarantees failure before even starting.
Moreover, leaders who act decisively demonstrate authenticity. They're not hidden behind endless meetings or reports. Instead, they're visible, present, and actively engaged in the process. This visibility fosters genuine connections and inspires teams to rally behind shared goals. Action-driven leadership is genuine leadership.
At times, leaders may feel overwhelmed by complexity. Yet, simplifying the approach can illuminate the path forward. Ask yourself, "What is the single most impactful action I can take right now?" Then take that step. Momentum is powerful. Small steps consistently taken will outperform grand intentions never realized.
Leaders who stall often fear making the wrong choice. But here's another southern gem: "You can’t steer a parked car." If you're moving, even slightly off course, adjustments are possible. But staying stationary makes growth impossible. Leadership requires movement, courageously stepping into the unknown.
Finally, decisiveness builds resilience. Leaders who act develop a track record of overcoming obstacles. They become seasoned problem-solvers, adaptive and flexible in the face of challenges. This resilience doesn’t come from reading about scenarios—it comes from experiencing them directly.
In short, don't spend your life "fixin’ to get ready." Embrace action. Step boldly into your decisions. Lead with conviction and authenticity. Your legacy as a leader won't be defined by the perfect plans you never implemented—but by the courageous actions you dared to take.
Data strongly supports the importance of decisive leadership. A recent Harvard Business Review study revealed that 94% of strong decision-makers are viewed as more effective leaders by their teams. In contrast, leaders who delay decisions create frustration and disengagement. Real-world examples consistently underline the truth behind these numbers.
Take Netflix, for example. In 2011, facing fierce competition and rapidly changing consumer preferences, CEO Reed Hastings made the decisive move to transition Netflix from DVD rentals to streaming. Despite initial backlash and stock volatility, Hastings’s quick action positioned Netflix as a market leader, increasing its subscriber base from 23 million in 2011 to over 230 million in 2023.
Conversely, Blockbuster’s hesitance to pivot contributed directly to its downfall. Blockbuster leadership stalled, reluctant to embrace the emerging digital trend. By the time they recognized the shift, Netflix had already dominated the market. The delay wasn't a mere oversight—it was a fatal hesitation.
Real-life scenarios further illustrate this point in day-to-day leadership. Consider the difference in outcomes between leaders who acted swiftly during the COVID-19 pandemic and those who hesitated. Organizations that quickly adopted remote work policies, digital transformations, and flexible strategies reported better productivity, employee morale, and financial stability. Hesitant companies suffered prolonged disruption and decreased employee engagement.
Moreover, a 2022 Gallup poll found that organizations led by decisive leaders had 68% higher employee retention and were 40% more profitable than those with indecisive leadership. The reason is clear: teams thrive when they trust their leaders to make prompt, confident decisions—even when facing uncertainty.
Ultimately, data and experience both confirm: leaders who move decisively shape not just their own success, but the success of entire teams and organizations. The cost of waiting isn't just missed opportunities; it's diminished trust, morale, and productivity. Embrace the clarity that comes from action, and lead with confidence—your team is counting on you.
