The business world can be as cruel as the animal kingdom. And if you’ve been around long enough, you undoubtedly know that making tough decisions in the office is inevitable at some point. However, there are steps you can take to alleviate the stress of a difficult call –– no matter how intimidating it might seem at first.

Recognize the Unknown

A good leader is not only knowledgeable in their field –– they’re able to understand that they don’t know everything. When faced with a difficult decision, it can be tempting to clam up and isolate yourself. Don’t do this. When you’re facing a problem you’re unfamiliar with, reach out to those who understand it more. For example: say you need to familiarize yourself with immigration laws more thoroughly to develop a modern hiring strategy. In this instance you might want to consult with an h1b lawyer to further understand the issue. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s just the opposite.

Walk Away from the Problem

Literally, take a walk and collect yourself. The movement will be good for you (in more ways than one) and take you out of your usual surroundings. Making difficult decisions relies on being able to see multiple aspects to a situation. So make sure that you don’t just sit in the same physical space the entire time. Consider the issue over a long stretch of time and in various places. It’ll help in the long run.

How Bad Could it Get?

Things could get real hairy if you’re not careful handling a tough decision. That’s why it’s imperative to consider the worst-case scenarios of a given option. If one path has a bevy of potentially detrimental consequences and a small chance of success, you need to take that into consideration. There’s nothing wrong with being a pessimist, sometimes.

Put Emotion Back Into It

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “take your emotions out of the decision.” It seems like sage advice. Considering a problem with an objective, disinterested viewpoint should yield the best result. Right? Well, not always. Chances are, if a decision looks good on paper, but doesn’t sit well with your gut or your heart, there’s something fundamentally wrong with it. That’s not to say you should fly by the seat of your pants and make choices based solely on intuition; however, no matter what you ultimately decide, you have to be able to live with the decision you make. Ensure it doesn’t go against your sensibilities even if it makes sense financially.