How to Make Difficult Decisions

By Deborah Gordon, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Cleveland Clinic

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We all face tough decisions. Sometimes they come with no easy answer and affect our work and the people we lead and serve. I’ve learned the approach to making these decisions matters just as much as their results.

When I joined Cleveland Clinic in 2024, I brought with me years of experience leading legal, risk, compliance and governance functions. What struck me immediately here is how interconnected our work is. No decision stands alone — there are always ripple effects. That’s why I believe strongly in making decisions as a team.

Here are a few things I’ve learned:

Put collaboration first. I never assume I have all the answers. In fact, I find the best solutions when I invite other voices into the room. Hearing different perspectives helps me see challenges in new ways. It also builds trust and shared ownership, which makes implementing a decision smoother.

Remember to take a pause. Tough choices can be emotional. In the moment, it’s tempting to rush. But I remind myself to stop, take a breath and step back. Even a short pause can help separate facts from feelings. It gives me space to think more clearly — and I encourage my teams to do the same.

Show vulnerability. It’s important for me to acknowledge that leading isn’t about being perfect or certain all the time. Sometimes, I remind myself of this by simply saying, “This is hard.”

I’ve found that being open about challenges helps others feel more comfortable sharing their own concerns and ideas. That honesty strengthens our connections and teamwork, fueling our work moving forward.

Find grounding. For me, my anchor in decision-making is always our mission. At Cleveland Clinic, this means keeping patients and caregivers at the center. When we return to our purpose, even the hardest decisions become clearer.

We're in this together

Difficult decisions will never go away. By collaborating, pausing, being open and staying grounded in our mission, we can face them together with confidence and compassion.