After moving to a small town in New Hampshire two years ago, I found myself getting involved in local issues where I have strong opinions. Ironically, despite all of my experience and success facilitating difficult decisions with clients, I am not an effective facilitator when I have strong opinions! And guess what. You aren’t an effective facilitator when you have strong opinions either!

When working with clients, I care deeply about the quality of their decisions. I push back against their assumptions. I challenge their conclusions. I guide them through a clear process so everyone knows how to participate and is able to contribute their very best. I insist on strong agreement. I interject my experience and wisdom. But I never allow myself to think I’ve got the one right answer. If I did, I would lose the power of clarity. Because the “right” answer is not the right answer unless the key decision-makers embrace it.

This is why leaders should consider bringing in a strong, objective facilitator for important and difficult decisions. The facilitator doesn’t have to be an outsider, though that might be necessary. It does have to be a skilled person who demands everyone’s best contributions and who has no preconceived notions about the conclusions. No one can lead a group to a strong conclusion over a contentious issue unless they are truly able to embark on an open and honest exploration of thoughts, concerns, and options. Strong opinions make that nearly impossible.

On the flip side, leaders with strong opinions are valuable members of the team. They need to be active players in the decision. And, actually, when freed from all facilitation responsibilities, they can devote all of their energy to the issues. An independent facilitator makes them and every other team member more effective.

Strengthen your leadership by recognizing when you are truly in a position to facilitate a decision and when you need to sit down and hand the reins to a strong, unbiased facilitator. I guarantee that if you do, you will a) see tremendous benefits in terms of the speed, quality, and commitment to important decisions, and b) do it more often.