Choice | Example | Leadership | Responsibility

DEFERRED DECISIONS
President Reagan learned the need for decision making early in his life. A kindly aunt had taken him to a cobbler to have a pair of shoes custom- made for him. The shoemaker asked, “Do you want a round toe or a square toe?” Young Ronald hemmed and hawed, so the cobbler said, “Come back in a day or two and tell me what you want.” A few days later the cobbler saw young Reagan on the street and asked what he decided about the shoes. “I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Reagan answered. “Very well,” said the cobbler. “Your shoes will be ready tomorrow.” When Reagan picked up the shoes, one had a round toe and the other a square toe. Says Reagan, “Looking at those shoes taught me a lesson. If you don’t make your own decisions, somebody else makes them for you.”