/ / THE DECISION LOG
THE HARD CALL
WORKSHEET
When the ethical answer and the convenient answer aren't the same — this is the framework for
making the call you can live with. And documenting it.
THE HARD CALL FRAMEWORK
1
WHAT ARE THE COMPETING INTEREST?
Name every stakeholder affected. Short-term business interests. Long-term culture. Individual fairness. Team signal. Don't skip any.
2
WHAT DOES THE CODE OF CONDUCT SAY?
Check your signed standard before making the call. If it doesn't cover this situation, this entry becomes the basis for updating the code.
3
WHAT'S THE FAIRNESS TEST?
If you applied this decision consistently to every person in a similar situation — would you still make the same call? If no, find the inconsistency.
4
WHAT SIGNAL DOES THIS SEND TO THE TEAM?
Every hard call is a broadcast. What does your team learn about what you value — from what you just did?
5
LOG IT. SIGN IT. SHARE IT.
Document the decision, the reasoning, and the outcome. Four hard-call log entries per year is the minimum standard for Sportified Company Certification.
WHEN TO USE THIS WORKSHEET
👤
PERSONNEL DECISIONS
Terminations, promotions, compensation adjustments — especially when the person is well-liked or high-performing.
🤝
CLIENT SITUATIONS
Pricing exceptions, scope disputes, missed commitments — when the business pressure pulls against the ethical standard.
📣
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Crisis response, policy announcements, or any situation where what you say publicly and what you do internally can diverge.
⚖️
POLICY EXCEPTIONS
When someone asks for an exception to a standard — and the business incentive to say yes is high. The worksheet keeps the standard honest.
"YOUR TEAM DOESN'T WATCH YOUR SPEECHES. THEY WATCH YOUR DECISIONS. THE HARD CALL LOG MAKES THOSE DECISIONS VISIBLE - TO YOURSELF FIRST. " - JAKE SHANNON
/ / DOWNLOAD - FREE
GET THE HARD CALL
DECISION WORKSHEET
The fillable framework + Decision Log template.
Use it on the next hard call you face — this week.