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The Cred PodcastAuthor: Mack McKelvey
On every episode we will interview an authority across different industries who has deep industry knowledge and vast experience in the field. On this season of The Cred podcast, we will seek to understand the art and science of decision making. Language: en Genres: Business, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Instinct, Ownership, and the Discipline of Decision-Making
Episode 44
Wednesday, 21 January, 2026
Rafat Ali doesn't take notes. And he makes decisions on instinct. In this episode, the founder and CEO of Skift breaks down how he actually makes decisions as a global operator, committing to a choice, avoiding second-guessing, and never falling in love with a single option. He explains how visualization helps him pressure-test hires, products, and acquisitions, why early yellow flags almost always turn red, and the defining mistake early in his career when he sold his first company. Rafat looks for two signals when decisions are being made. First, is there a clear owner who will carry it forward once the conversation ends, or is it drifting in a sea of shared responsibility? When no one is clearly on the hook, progress slows and things slip. Second, he pays attention to how people handle details as a gauge for decision readiness. The people who think through implications and follow through are usually the ones prepared to make the call, not just weigh in. Tune in for a candid conversation about instinct, ownership, and what it really means to decide.
