Marcel Schwantes

Having coached executive leaders for two decades, I know they are bombarded with decisions—big and small—every day. Do I take this call? Launch this product? Respond to that email? Hire this person?

It’s easy to fall into reactive mode, making snap decisions under pressure. Urgency has its place, but rushing to meet other people’s expectations rarely leads to clarity or long-term success. The best leaders learn to pause, step back, and focus on what truly matters—for them, their teams, and their business—before they act.

One of the simplest and most effective tools I’ve come across is the 10-10-10 rule, created by author and speaker Suzy Welch.

What is the 10-10-10 rule?

At its core, the 10-10-10 rule is a simple decision-making framework built around making smarter decisions by thinking beyond the moment. Whenever you’re facing a tough choice, ask yourself three questions:

• How will I feel about this in 10 minutes?
• How will I feel about it in 10 months?
• How will I feel about it in 10 years?

Think of it as your own mental time travel that helps you slow down, step outside the urgency of the now to consider the short-term and long-term impact of your decisions; it may also potentially keep you from making decisions you’ll regret later.

It’s deceptively simple but powerful. What I’ve noticed in countless coaching sessions with senior managers is that so many poor decisions happen because they’re overly influenced by short-term emotions—fear, ego, comfort, or urgency. When I apply the 10-10-10 framework on my high-level clients, it forces them to step back and weigh both short-term feelings and long-term consequences.

For leaders, this kind of mental time travel is more than a mindset—it’s a skill they must learn and apply. The best decisions often require holding two timelines in your head at once: what helps right now and what pays off down the road.

The 10-10-10 rule does exactly that. It gives you a structured way to avoid knee-jerk reactions and develop strategic patience—the kind that separates great leaders from impulsive ones.

How to apply the 10-10-10 rule

Here are a few practical ways to make the 10-10-10 rule work in your daily leadership routine:

1. Use it for hard conversations.

Before firing off that emotionally charged message or making a hasty decision out of fear, pause. Ask yourself:

Will I still feel this angry in 10 minutes?
Will I be proud of how I handled this in 10 months?
Will this action support the culture I want to lead in 10 years?

Chances are good that you’ll take a breath and choose a wiser path.

2. Run decisions by your future self.

When evaluating an opportunity, ask: Will this choice serve the person I want to be a decade from now?

This can help cut through temptations and distractions that do not serve your purpose or mission, and steer you back toward your long-term vision.

3. Make it a leadership habit.

Embed the 10-10-10 check into your leadership rhythm—team meetings, one-on-ones, even strategic planning. Encourage your team to use it too. It builds a culture of thoughtful, long-range thinking rather than reactive firefighting.

4. Write it down.

When facing a tough decision, journal your answers to each “10” timeframe. Be specific. Remember this rule: Writing forces clarity. I force my coaching clients to journal so they can gain more awareness into a situation. And you’ll have a record to reflect on—helpful when evaluating how your thinking has evolved.

Better decisions

No question, leadership requires making some really hard decisions. But here’s the thing: It’s not just about that. It’s about making better decisions—the kind that hold up under pressure, inspire trust, and align with who you want to become.

The 10-10-10 rule doesn’t promise easy answers. But it gives you a dependable compass. Use it regularly, and you’ll notice something powerful: Your decisions start compounding in the direction of your best future.

Inc