How to cure leadership procrastination

TL;DR: Delaying critical decisions can slow an agency’s growth and hinder progress. Leadership procrastination is a common challenge even for experienced founders, and it can weaken an agency’s proposition if high-stakes choices are deferred. This article explains how to recognize when procrastination is tactical versus harmful and provides five actionable questions to overcome indecision, leverage the right help, and drive meaningful results for your agency.

Leadership procrastination is a serious concern. As a leader, you are often great at inspiring others. Sometimes, you are also skilled at making decisions. But certain decisions are difficult, especially those that shape the future of your business.

For example, as an agency founder planning for an eventual exit, decisions carry even greater weight. In any business, leaders make calls that can make or break the company, particularly when urgency and execution are required. Great decision-making is not about always being right. It is about making a decision, correcting it if necessary, and keeping momentum moving forward.

Why leaders really procrastinate

Procrastination occurs when you know a decision is needed but feel unprepared to reverse it if you are wrong. Excuses abound: I am not ready, the team is not ready, we do not have the money yet, I can do it myself, the team can handle it, we can wait for another opportunity. These excuses may feel safe, but they are a barrier to growth.

Using procrastination strategically

Procrastination has its advantages. Short delays can sharpen decision-making and push hyper-focused delivery, as often happens with pitches.

However, even the most capable leaders have lapses into procrastination. I work with leaders of exceptional agencies all the time. Most are excellent decision-makers, yet all sometimes hesitate, even when decisive action is critical to the strength of their  agency's proposition. Recognizing when procrastination is tactical and when it is harmful is essential to strengthening your agency’s proposition and achieving measurable results.

Understanding this distinction allows leaders to use delay as a tool, rather than a trap, ensuring that high-stakes decisions are made deliberately and executed confidently.

Five questions to break leadership procrastination

Ask yourself these five questions when deferring decisions that could make or break your company:

1. Do we know what we need to do?
   Do your research and identify two strong options. If you cannot clearly articulate the problem, options, and expected outcome, you are still in the thinking phase. Clarify goals, risks, timeline, and measures of success so decisions become commitments, not guesses.

2. Will we really do it on our own?
   If the project requires outside expertise to move forward or maintain accountability, this is the acid test. Do not hesitate to get help if it is needed.

3. Can we get someone in to do it?
   Identify the best external expert with proven experience in similar situations. Do not settle for the convenient or cheap option. The right partner accelerates progress, creates accountability, and turns intention into disciplined execution. This is critical for high-stakes scenarios such as preparing for scale or an  M&A. Guidance from leaders who have successfully grown, bought, and sold agencies helps you avoid costly mistakes and position your business for maximum valuation.

4. What is the price of getting it done?
   Assess the value versus the cost and consider the short-term and long-term impact. High fees may be justified if the value delivered is substantial. Great companies charge by value, not by the hour—and so should yours.

5. What is the cost if we do not get it done?
   Consider the consequences of inaction. Will it cost you years, revenue, or opportunity? Identify both the positive and negative impacts to understand the stakes clearly.

Stop procrastinating. Make the big decisions. Take control and let the next phase of growth begin now rather than waiting for it to happen on its own.

Frequently asked questions regarding leadership procrastination

• 1. What is leadership procrastination?

  Leadership procrastination is the delay or avoidance of making critical decisions by leaders, often due to fear of being wrong, uncertainty, or lack of preparedness. It can slow growth, weaken an agency's proposition, and create missed opportunities.

• 2. Why do even successful leaders procrastinate?

  Even highly capable leaders procrastinate because they feel unprepared to reverse a decision if it goes wrong. Common excuses include waiting for resources, relying on the team, or delaying until the “perfect moment” arrives.

• 3. How can procrastination be strategic?

  When used intentionally, short delays can sharpen focus, create urgency, and improve execution under pressure. For example, preparing for a pitch or refining a high-impact decision can benefit from brief, deliberate pauses.

• 4. How does leadership procrastination affect an agency’s proposition?

  Delays in decisive action can weaken an agency’s proposition by slowing growth initiatives, delaying strategic projects, or reducing the agency’s perceived reliability. Making timely decisions strengthens the agency’s core value and competitive position.

• 5. When should I seek outside help to overcome procrastination?

  If a decision requires expertise, accountability, or structured execution that you cannot provide internally, bringing in an experienced partner can accelerate progress, reduce errors, and strengthen your agency’s proposition.

• 6. What is the cost of not addressing leadership procrastination?

  Inaction can result in missed opportunities, reduced revenue, stagnation, or weaker market positioning. It can also impact team morale and the agency’s ability to scale successfully.