Den Diggings #005
The Seven Questions That Changed How We Make Decisions
Good decisions rarely come from having all the answers. They come from asking better questions.
Every business owner faces decisions every single day.
Should I launch?
Should I hire?
Should I spend money on advertising?
Should I build a new product?
Should I walk away?
The problem isn’t usually a lack of options.
It’s knowing which option takes you closer to the future you’re trying to build.
The Compass doesn’t give you answers. It helps you ask better questions.
The Seven Questions
1. Is it aligned with our principles?
Will this decision move us closer to who we want to become?
2. Who does it serve?
Does this genuinely create value for customers, members or the wider community?
3. Will it create long-term value?
Are we solving today’s problem without creating tomorrow’s?
4. Is it responsible and ethical?
If this decision appeared on tomorrow’s front page, would we still be proud of it?
5. Do we have the resources and capability?
Can we realistically deliver this well with what we have today?
6. What are the risks?
What could go wrong, and how would we respond if it did?
7. Will this open new paths?
Does this create more opportunities for future growth?
Why It Works
The Compass doesn’t exist to slow decisions down.
It exists to stop us making decisions we’ll regret later.
We’ve used these questions when deciding what to build, what not to build, which partnerships to pursue and even how TFDI itself should grow.
They don’t guarantee perfect outcomes.
But they do create clearer thinking.
A compass won’t walk the path for you.
It simply helps make sure you’re heading in the right direction.
Try It Yourself
The next time you’re faced with a difficult business decision, don’t rush to Google for another checklist.
Take ten minutes.
Work through these seven questions honestly.
You might discover that the answer was already there—you just hadn’t asked yourself the right questions yet.
Clarity creates confidence.
And confident decisions build stronger businesses.