Leadership is like a mix of art and science. It often means choosing between what feels right and what makes sense. I remember a tough time when I had to hire someone for my company. It was hard because I had to decide if I should go with my feelings or make a choice that was best for the business. This moment taught me a lot about making smart decisions.

A Familiar Name Among Applications

Hiring new people is very important because it helps a company grow and do well. But it’s also a big responsibility to choose the right person. Once, when I was hiring for my company, I faced a really tough decision.

Out of all the job applications, one stood out. It was from someone I knew and had worked with before. We got along well and had fun working together. They were excited to join my team, which made me feel appreciated as a leader.

When I looked at their application more carefully, I realized their skills didn’t match the job. This made me face a tough decision, where I had to balance what felt right with what was best for the job.

The Dilemma of Leadership

Leaders sometimes have to make tough choices that affect both their company and their relationships with others. In this situation, I felt like giving my friend a chance because it would be nice to work with someone I already trusted.

Being a leader isn't always about what feels easy or familiar. It's about making the best choice for the company, even if it’s hard. I knew this decision wasn’t about picking my friend—it was about finding the right person for the job.

Deliberating Between Logic and Emotion

For the next few days, I thought about whether I should follow my feelings or focus on what the job needed. This decision wasn’t just about one person—it was about how I would make hiring choices in the future.

I knew that picking someone who wasn't qualified could make it harder for the team to do well and create problems—but saying no to someone I liked and respected felt really tough and unfair.

I asked for advice, looked at the job description again, and checked their resume several times to ensure I wasn't missing anything. But still, their skills didn’t fit the job.

The Final Decision

In the end, I decided to treat their application like everyone else's, without being unfair. I picked candidates who were a better fit for the job and chose the ones whose skills matched the role perfectly.

It was a tough decision. Telling my friend the result was even harder. I chose to be honest and explained that while I liked their excitement, the job needed skills they didn’t have. I was relieved when they appreciated my honesty, even though it wasn’t what they wanted to hear.

Lessons Learned

This experience taught me an important lesson about being a leader: always put what’s best for the company first, even if it’s hard. Emotions are a normal part of making decisions, but letting them control you can hurt long-term goals.

In the end, my decision benefited everyone. The company got what it needed, and my friend found a role that fit him perfectly.

Balancing Logic and Empathy

It’s important to remember that using logic doesn’t mean ignoring feelings. Being kind and understanding helps leaders connect with people, build trust, and handle tough talks. But kindness should work with logic, not replace it.

While explaining the decision to my friend, I avoided being harsh. Instead, I pointed out their strengths and inspired them to find a better match. This helped keep our friendship strong and ended the conversation on a positive note.

Smart Decisions Transform Businesses

Every leader will face a time when they have to make a tough decision that involves feelings. These moments shape who we are and affect how our businesses move forward.

By making a decision based on what made sense, I made sure the company hired someone who could do a good job. This one choice helped the team do better and set a good example for future hiring.

Strong leaders focus on what’s right, not what’s easy. When it’s tough, ask yourself: Am I prioritizing comfort or results?

Making tough decisions is part of leadership. Have you ever found yourself choosing between what felt right and what made sense on paper? How did it turn out for your team or business? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments!