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Great leaders have a knack for making decisions quickly, even when they don’t have all the facts. It’s one of those traits that separates good leaders from exceptional ones. Yet, if I’m being completely honest, this is one of my Achilles heels. I sometimes get stuck, waiting for data or validation from "experts" to back up my instincts. Sound familiar?

In the multifamily space, where decisions can impact investors, residents, and teams, the stakes feel incredibly high. But here’s the hard truth: waiting for perfect information or consensus can cost you. Opportunities don’t wait for endless analysis, and in many cases, gut instinct and experience are just as valuable as a spreadsheet full of numbers.

The Cost of Indecision

Let’s paint the picture: You’re evaluating a property acquisition. The market conditions feel right, but the data you’ve received isn’t complete. An emerging neighborhood could be a goldmine or a gamble, and your advisors have mixed opinions. What do you do? Wait for every possible piece of information or trust your ability to weigh what you know and pull the trigger?

In my experience, indecision can lead to missed opportunities and frustration within your team. Multifamily real estate is fast-paced; deals can fall through, competitors can outpace you, and you can lose credibility if you hesitate too often. Leadership demands boldness—even when you’re not 100% sure.

Trusting Your Gut (and Knowing When to Lean On Data)

This doesn’t mean data and expert advice aren’t important. They absolutely are. But they shouldn’t paralyze you. The key is finding the balance:

1. Know What Matters Most: Not all data is created equal. Identify the key metrics or insights that directly impact your decision and focus on those.
2. Set Deadlines for Decisions: Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to gather information, but once that clock runs out, commit to a decision.
3. Be Comfortable with Risk: No decision is ever risk-free. Great leaders understand this and prepare for contingencies instead of waiting for guarantees.
4. Trust Your Experience: In multifamily, you’ve likely seen patterns and outcomes play out before. Trust that your knowledge gives you a strong foundation.

Lessons for Emerging Leaders

For those newer to the multifamily space—or leadership in general—this lesson might feel daunting. You’ve been taught to rely on experts and data. That’s valid, but leadership is about more than analysis; it’s about action. Here’s how you can start building that muscle:

• Start Small: Practice making quick decisions on low-stakes issues. Build confidence by seeing how those choices play out.
• Learn from Others: Observe leaders who seem to act decisively. Ask them about their thought process and how they weigh risk versus reward.
• Debrief Your Decisions: After a big call, reflect on what worked and what didn’t. It’s the only way to sharpen your instincts.

In the End...

I’m still working on this myself. There are moments when I find myself wanting one more spreadsheet or another opinion before making a move. But here’s the thing: leadership doesn’t wait. Neither does opportunity.



In the multifamily space, your ability to act with courage and conviction will set you apart. So, the next time you’re faced with an incomplete picture, remind yourself that great leaders are defined not by their perfect decisions, but by their willingness to make them—and the resilience to course-correct if needed.

Emerging leaders, take note: your instincts are worth trusting. Use them. Sharpen them. And don’t let fear of imperfection hold you back. After all, in this industry, bold moves build and elevate - not just you but the other perfectionist souls around you.