Decision-making is a critical competency for leaders and professionals across industries, especially in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments. Huawei, one of the world’s leading technology companies, has developed a robust framework for executive decision-making that emphasizes data-driven analysis, long-term strategic thinking, collective intelligence, and resilience under pressure. By studying and applying Huawei’s executive practices, individuals and organizations can significantly enhance their decision-making capabilities.

One of the foundational principles of Huawei’s approach to decision-making is its commitment to rationality and objectivity. Executives at Huawei are trained to rely on data and facts rather than intuition or emotional impulses. This culture of evidence-based decisions stems from the company’s founder, Ren Zhengfei, who consistently emphasized the importance of “listening to the sound of footsteps”—a metaphor for grounding decisions in observable reality. For example, before launching a new product or entering a foreign market, Huawei conducts exhaustive research, including customer behavior analysis, competitive benchmarking, and risk assessments. This ensures that decisions are not based on assumptions but on verifiable insights. Professionals looking to improve their decision-making should adopt similar habits: gathering comprehensive information, validating sources, and using analytics tools to interpret complex datasets.

Another hallmark of Huawei’s executive practice is long-term strategic foresight. Unlike many companies that prioritize short-term gains, Huawei invests heavily in future-oriented planning. The company allocates a significant portion of its revenue—often over 10%—to research and development each year, even during economic downturns. This reflects a mindset where decisions are evaluated not just by immediate outcomes but by their alignment with multi-year visions. Leaders at Huawei use scenario planning and horizon scanning to anticipate technological shifts and geopolitical changes. For instance, years before 5G became mainstream, Huawei had already begun investing in related infrastructure and talent. To emulate this, individuals should practice thinking beyond quarterly targets or project deadlines. Ask questions such as: What will the industry look like in five years? How does today’s decision contribute to sustainable growth? Developing this forward-looking perspective fosters more resilient and impactful choices.

Huawei also places strong emphasis on collective decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. While final accountability rests with senior executives, major decisions are rarely made in isolation. Instead, Huawei encourages open debate through mechanisms like the “red team vs. blue team” exercises, where opposing viewpoints are systematically explored to challenge assumptions and uncover blind spots. Additionally, the company promotes a culture of constructive conflict, where employees are expected to speak up—even if it means disagreeing with superiors—as long as they back their arguments with logic and data. This inclusive process leads to more thoroughly vetted decisions. In practical terms, professionals can improve their decision-making by actively seeking diverse perspectives, holding pre-mortems (imagining why a decision might fail), and creating forums for honest feedback within teams. Avoiding groupthink and embracing cognitive diversity strengthens both the quality and acceptance of decisions.

Moreover, Huawei’s leadership model highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in uncertain conditions. The company has faced numerous external challenges, including international sanctions and supply chain disruptions, yet continues to make decisive moves. This resilience comes from a mindset known as “thinking about worst-case scenarios,” which prepares leaders to act swiftly when crises occur. Rather than freezing in uncertainty, Huawei executives maintain operational flexibility by building redundancy into systems and maintaining multiple contingency plans. For example, after being restricted from using certain U.S. technologies, Huawei rapidly accelerated its investment in domestic semiconductor development and alternative software ecosystems. This proactive adaptation demonstrates how effective decision-makers don’t wait for perfect information—they act decisively with the best available data while remaining agile enough to course-correct. Individuals can cultivate this skill by practicing stress-testing their plans, setting clear thresholds for reevaluation, and developing mental models for navigating ambiguity.

Finally, Huawei instills a deep sense of ownership and accountability in its decision-makers. Executives are expected to take full responsibility for the outcomes of their choices, whether positive or negative. This creates a culture where learning from failure is valued, and post-decision reviews are conducted rigorously to extract lessons. There is no blame-shifting; instead, the focus is on systemic improvement. For example, after a product launch falls short of expectations, teams conduct root cause analyses and update processes accordingly. This transparency builds trust and continuous improvement over time. To apply this principle, professionals should document their key decisions, articulate the reasoning behind them, and schedule follow-ups to assess results. Taking ownership transforms decision-making from a one-time event into an iterative learning cycle.

In conclusion, improving decision-making skills requires more than just analytical ability—it demands discipline, foresight, inclusiveness, resilience, and accountability. Huawei’s executive practices offer a powerful blueprint for cultivating these qualities. By grounding decisions in data, thinking strategically, leveraging collective intelligence, preparing for uncertainty, and embracing responsibility, individuals can elevate their judgment and leadership impact. These principles are not exclusive to large corporations; they are scalable and applicable across roles and industries. As the pace of change accelerates globally, adopting a Huawei-inspired approach to decision-making may well become a defining advantage for those aiming to lead with clarity and confidence.