Here’s a hard truth: most people don’t make real decisions.
They wait. They hesitate. They let others choose. Or they avoid, delay, distract—until life chooses for them.
But there’s a powerful moment—often subtle, always life-changing—when you decide to take ownership.
When you say: “This is my choice. I own it.”
That’s the moment you stop being a passenger… and start becoming the leader in your own life.
Responsibility isn’t a burden. It’s power.
And that’s where great decisions begin.
Great Decisions Don’t Come From Perfect Conditions
They come from ownership—a mindset that defines great leaders.
Take Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, as an example.
His story is a powerful reminder that ownership isn’t just about control—it’s about courage, clarity, and conviction.
The Power of Ownership: A Story of Courage and Conviction
Reed Hastings once made a decision that nearly broke his company—
and it turned out to be the one that saved it.
When building Netflix, Hastings made a clear pre-decision:
“We will never compete on price alone. We will always compete on value.”
That single principle would protect Netflix from price wars and eventually help it become one of the most valuable companies on the planet.
But before the victory came the test.
A True Leader Stands Alone
In the fall of 2011, Reed Hastings stood alone.
Not physically—he had a boardroom, a company, millions of customers.
But alone in conviction.
Netflix had just hit its peak:
- A $17 billion market cap
- Over $300 stock price
- A thriving DVD-by-mail business
- Massive brand loyalty
But Hastings saw what others didn’t.
He knew that staying the same would eventually lead to Netflix’s downfall.
So he made a bold, unpopular move.
Choosing to Do the Harder Thing
In September 2011, Hastings announced that Netflix would split into two companies:
- Netflix: streaming only
- Qwikster: DVD-by-mail
Each with separate logins, websites, and billing.
It was logical—but risky.
And the backlash came fast.
The Backlash: Losing Customers, Stock Value, and Goodwill
The change triggered massive frustration.
Over 800,000 subscribers left the platform.
Netflix lost more than 75% of its market value—$12 billion—in a few months.
Investors were furious.
The media shredded the company.
It looked like a disaster.
True Leadership Means Admitting When You’re Wrong
Hastings believed in the vision, but he admitted the execution was flawed.
“I messed up. I owe everyone an explanation,” he said.
“We moved too quickly. We didn’t give it enough thought or explanation. That legitimately caused our customers to be angry.”
He didn’t reverse the decision to focus on streaming.
Instead, he reversed the creation of Qwikster—three weeks after launching it.
He listened. He learned. He adjusted.
The Courage of Conviction
Despite the setback, Hastings didn’t abandon the mission.
He doubled down on streaming and guided Netflix through one of the greatest business transformations in modern history.
He risked everything—not because it was easy, but because he believed it was right.
That’s leadership.
That’s ownership.
Leadership Isn’t About Popularity—It’s About Clarity
Reed Hastings proved that leadership isn’t about being liked.
It’s about having the clarity to see the future—and the courage to act, even when it’s unpopular.
He made a decision that no one understood at the time.
And he stuck with it, even when it cost the company billions.
Today, Netflix is a global streaming powerhouse.
Because Hastings made the tough call—and owned it.
Great Decisions Begin with Ownership
Leadership isn’t a title.
It’s a mindset.
When you take full responsibility:
- You stop choosing what’s safe. You choose what’s right.
- You stop reacting. You start directing.
- You stop waiting. You start leading.
Great leaders don’t leave things to chance.
They study how their mind works under pressure.
They practice decision-making like a skill—because that’s exactly what it is.
Are You Ready to Lead?
If you’re ready to lead your life with clarity, confidence, and courage—
visit my website or explore my book:
The Challenge of Choice
Because your decisions shape your destiny.
Make them count.
Richard Fast is a dynamic speaker and the creator of the best-selling board game MindTrap®. With over 30 years of experience exploring human behavior, he reveals the hidden forces behind our most critical decisions. His signature presentation, The Challenge of Choice, takes audiences deep into the mind’s operating system, showing how to make confident, effective decisions—before outcomes unfold.