Horizoning With Amanah: Strengthening Decisions Together
– Aligning decisions through thoughtful consultation
STRATEGY BEGINS WITH ALIGNMENT
This week’s theme in the newsletter is Faith-Inspired Strategy: applying Qur’anic and Prophetic wisdom to vision, decisions and direction. When we think about strategy, we often think of plans, targets and analysis. Yet strategy begins earlier — in the conversations through which people align around a direction.
Across many years of facilitation and leadership work, I have been present when groups were trying to decide important matters together. I have seen this in strategy retreats, corporate task-force meetings, coaching sessions, community committees, and when chairing the inaugural executive committee meeting of a residents association. The settings differ, yet the intention is similar. People care deeply about their responsibilities, and still clarity does not always come easily.
Over time I realised that strategy depends not only on expertise. It depends on how we listen and speak before deciding. When dialogue is shaped with care, alignment becomes possible. Alignment does not mean everyone prefers the same option. It means people understand the reasoning and can move forward responsibly together.
The Qur’an reminds us about consultation as a way of life:
“…and whose affairs are conducted by consultation (shura) among themselves…” — Qur’an 42:38
Shura is not merely a meeting. It is a discipline of thoughtful dialogue that shapes strategy.
GOING DEEPER INTO A PRACTICE
Recently, The Malaysian Reserve published my article, Strengthening Decisions Together: A Modern Shura. That article introduced the idea briefly. In this edition, I would like to go deeper into the practice itself.
Through facilitation work, corporate project meetings, mastermind circles, and family discussions, a simple dialogue approach gradually took shape. I call it Strengthening Decisions Together, or SDT. The name reflects a deliberate observation: we strengthen outcomes by strengthening decisions together.
WHY STRATEGY NEEDS DESIGNED DIALOGUE
In many organisations and communities, people are sincere (ikhlas) and capable (qadir). Yet meetings sometimes drift because the decision question is not clearly named, assumptions remain unspoken, or responsibility is not clarified. Without structure, conversation becomes tense or circular. With tactful structure, dialogue becomes more composed and clearer.
Designed dialogue does not remove differences of view. It helps people understand one another before moving forward. When understanding grows, trust grows. When trust grows, alignment becomes possible.
Alignment is not consensus. It is a shared willingness to move forward with a decision that has been thoughtfully considered.
THE SDT APPROACH
From these experiences, a simple pattern emerged for guiding consultation.
We begin by presenting the proposal. The decision question is expressed clearly so everyone is looking at the same matter. Many meetings improve immediately when intention (niyyah) is named.
Next come clarifying questions. These questions help everyone understand context, assumptions and constraints. They are asked with curiosity and patience (sabr). Shared understanding begins here.
Then come strengthening inputs. Participants offer perspectives that may improve the proposal or protect it from risk. Honest observations are welcomed. Concerns are raised respectfully so that trust remains intact.
After listening, the proposer integrates. The person or group responsible reflects on what was heard and clarifies what will be taken forward. Leadership here means carrying amanah (sacred trust) with clarity.
Finally comes a readiness check. Before closing, the group pauses to ask whether anything important remains unsaid. This moment protects relationships and helps decisions rest on a firm foundation.
MINIMISING FRICTION IN DECISION MAKING
At one strategy session where the SDT approach was used intensively, the emphasis was on strengthening rather than challenging. Participants were encouraged to identify risks and missing considerations, constructively. The tone of conversation changed. Voices that might have been hesitant were heard. The group moved forward with clarity.
Some people say such dialogue sounds idealistic. In everyday organisational life, pressures are real and conversations can feel like a jungle. Strong personalities and tight timelines add tension.
Yet I have seen that when the SDT design is followed with care, friction reduces. People feel heard. Concerns surface earlier. Discussion becomes purposeful rather than personal. Alignment becomes possible even when everyone does not fully agree.
This kind of facilitation is not effortless. It requires patience (sabr, istiqamah) and experience, and the guidelines of the approach need to be respected. When they are, groups often reach decisions more peacefully and with stronger commitment.
THE PARADIGM OF PARTICIPATION
Another important shift that helps SDT conversations is the mindset participants bring into the room.
Meetings are shaped not only by process, but by intention (niyyah). When people enter a discussion assuming that proposals are driven by hidden motives, anxiety rises quickly. Dialogue becomes guarded. Energy is spent protecting positions rather than strengthening decisions.
A helpful discipline here is husnuzon — holding good assumptions about one another. It encourages participants to believe that colleagues are trying to contribute sincerely, even when they see matters differently. Concerns can still be raised, yet they are raised with goodwill.
This mindset builds resilience, empathy and trust. Differences can be explored without suspicion. Alignment becomes easier to reach. In faith-inspired strategy, husnuzon is not only courtesy, it is also strength.
AN SDT FIELD GUIDE
Because these steps are easier to practise with a written reference, I have adapted them into a short SDT Field Guide that you may use in your own strategy meetings or family discussions. It outlines the five stages with simple prompts for each.
You can download it here and adapt it to your own context.
Try it first in a small meeting. Present the decision clearly. Invite clarifying questions. Listen for strengthening inputs. Integrate thoughtfully. Pause before closing. Notice how the tone of the conversation changes. Often there is more calm, more clarity and more shared responsibility.
FROM BOARDROOM TO FAMILY ROOM
In two weeks’ time, in Edition #23 under the Mastery & Inner Renewal theme, I will share a simple structure for a one-hour family shura. Strategy begins quietly at home, and the same principles of Strengthening Decisions Together can be practised at the family table.
Below is a short preview recorded at the same table where our recent family meeting took place. The video introduces the spirit behind the approach before we explore it more fully in Edition #23.
Click here if you can’t view the video above.
A PERSONAL REFLECTION
After my bypass surgery last year when life slowed unexpectedly, I found myself asking what kind of decisions I want to be remembered for. Not only decisions that achieve results, but decisions that honour trust.
Faith-inspired strategy grows from intention, consultation and humility. It reminds us that leadership is an amanah entrusted for a time. We try to carry it carefully.
TRY IT
If you try the SDT Field Guide in your team, community, or family, I would be glad to hear what you learn. These practices continue to evolve as we learn together.
Horizoning our future, with amanah, one strengthened decision at a time.
CLOSING INVITATION
If this idea of Strengthening Decisions Together resonates with you, I invite you to continue the conversation with fellow practitioners.
On 18 March 2026, we will gather again in the monthly Faith-Conscious Professionals meetup. These sessions are simple conversations among leaders and professionals who are trying to align intention, strategy and action in their daily work. You are most welcome to join and listen, reflect and share.
Registration is here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7429317351948398592/
During this Ramadan, I am also offering Ramadan Kareem Coaching, complimentary one-to-one sessions for those who wish to reflect on their direction, priority and decisions in a private and structured way. There are still several openings available until the third week of Ramadan 1447. If you feel it may be helpful, you can read more and sign up here: https://coachhasan.com/ramadan-kareem-coaching
Wherever you are in your leadership journey, may your decisions be guided with clarity, consultation and amanah. Aamiin.
Horizoning our future, together. 🌿
Next newsletter edition: 2nd Tuesday (Ramadan 1447) – Leadership with Ihsan
Previous newsletter edition: Unscripted
The Faith-Conscious Leader newsletter delivers weekly insights to Muslim leaders who want to integrate faith, strategy and impact in their professional lives.
Each Hijri month cycles four themes (plus one, unthemed) designed to balance inspiration with practice:
- 1st Tuesday – Faith-Inspired Strategy: applying Qur’anic and Prophetic wisdom to vision, decisions and direction.
- 2nd Tuesday – Leadership with Ihsan: leading people and shaping culture with excellence, fairness and compassion.
- 3rd Tuesday – Inner Mastery & Renewal: building resilience, patience, and clarity through intention and spiritual grounding.
- 4th Tuesday – Faith-Conscious in Practice: translating principles into tools, case studies and real-world applications.
- 5th Tuesday (when there is) – Unscripted: flows without a fixed theme – faith-conscious insights, spiritual stories and leadership lessons in raw form.
