In this episode, I explore the difference between double-checking and second-guessing—and why knowing which one you’re doing matters. Using the story of Apollo 11’s 1202 alarm, I look at what happens when leaders revisit the work versus revisit the judgment itself. Sometimes looking again is rigor. Sometimes new evidence demands a different decision. And sometimes, we’re simply uncomfortable with having made the choice. Good leadership isn’t about never questioning a decision. It’s knowing when there’s something worth questioning.
In today’s episode, I explore a tension every leader eventually faces: when to look again, and when to trust the decision you’ve already made.
There’s an important difference between checking the work and questioning the judgment. One can reveal an error. The other can reveal that circumstances have changed—or that we’re simply uncomfortable with committing to a choice.
Using Apollo 11, the premortem, and research on escalation of commitment, I look at why strong decision-making requires both rigor and the willingness to change course.
The challenge is knowing which moment you’re in.
Join me as I explore:
Key Takeaways:
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