General U.S. Grant in his post war wisdom gave us a 6 word maxim that fits business, war, and athletics. “Councils of war do not fight.” Councils, committees, ad hoc study groups, and staffs seek consensus, fail to optimize, and thus reach decisions that rarely win in any endeavor. The keen leader may employ staff and councils to better define the issues and possible courses of action, but he is the better leader who listens to the staff, weighs their opinions and recommendations, then trusts his instincts —listens, decides, acts, and never looks back.