The 10-10-10 Rule: A Smarter Way to Decide

Leadership is an endless stream of decisions. From trivial daily choices to transformative strategic moves, the pressure to choose wisely can overwhelm even the most seasoned entrepreneurs. This is where the 10-10-10 Rule, introduced by NYU Business Professor Suzy Welch, comes into play. It’s a simple yet profound decision-making framework that helps leaders gain clarity, perspective, and alignment with their long-term goals.

Here’s a closer look at how emotionally intelligent leaders are leveraging this rule to make better decisions and why it works so well.

The 10-10-10 Rule: A Framework for Clarity

The 10-10-10 Rule breaks down decision-making into three time frames, prompting you to consider the impact of your choices:

1. 10 minutes: How will I feel about this decision immediately or in the near term?
2. 10 months: What will be the consequences in the medium term?
3. 10 years: How will this decision shape my life, business, or relationships over the long haul?

This structured process encourages leaders to step back from knee-jerk reactions, weigh emotional and logical factors, and align their actions with their overarching priorities.

Steps to Apply the 10-10-10 Rule

1. Define the Decision Clearly: Begin with clarity. A vague decision is hard to evaluate. Frame your choice in a straightforward question. For instance: “Should I invest in developing a new product line while my team is already at capacity?”
2. Evaluate the 10-Minute Perspective: Ask yourself: How will I feel about this decision in the immediate future? Consider emotional triggers, stress levels, and potential short-term rewards. For example, launching a product immediately might spark excitement but also increase short-term stress.
3. Assess the 10-Month Perspective: Examine the potential medium-term outcomes. Will this decision help you hit key milestones, or might it divert resources from more pressing priorities? For example, after 10 months, could this product line be generating meaningful revenue, or would it still be in development, draining resources?
4. Visualize the 10-Year Impact: Shift to a long-term view: What could this decision mean a decade from now? Will it contribute to your legacy, align with your core values, or strengthen your business? Conversely, will it result in burnout or a misalignment with your strategic vision?

Why the 10-10-10 Rule Works

This framework succeeds because it integrates emotional intelligence with rational foresight. Leaders often default to quick decisions based on immediate pressures. The 10-10-10 Rule forces a pause, offering a way to balance short-term emotional reactions with the logical, strategic implications of choices.

1. Balances Emotion and Logic: Acknowledging emotional responses in the 10-minute phase keeps impulsive decisions in check. Moving into the 10-month and 10-year phases brings rationality into focus.
2. Aligns With Core Values: By emphasizing long-term outcomes, the framework helps leaders ensure decisions align with their principles and vision.
3. Reduces Regret: Considering the long view minimizes the likelihood of regret, as decisions are better aligned with personal and professional priorities.

How Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Apply It

Emotionally intelligent leaders use the 10-10-10 Rule as a tool for intentionality. They’re aware of the cognitive biases that can cloud judgment, and deliberately slow down to assess their decisions through this lens. By doing so, they model thoughtfulness and resilience, setting an example for their teams.

For instance, when deciding whether to pivot a business strategy, a leader might recognize the immediate fear of change (10 minutes), weigh the strategic gains over a year (10 months), and consider how the pivot aligns with their 10-year vision of market leadership.

Conclusion: Making Decisions With Confidence

The 10-10-10 Rule offers a roadmap for navigating complex decisions with emotional intelligence and strategic foresight. By systematically evaluating choices across short, medium, and long-term horizons, leaders can act with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Next time you face a pivotal decision, pause and apply the 10-10-10 framework. You’ll not only make better choices but also cultivate a decision-making process that aligns with your values and long-term success.