№ 34 · Resilience

Every Decision Has a Cost. The Question Is: What’s the Return?

Every decision costs something. It might be money, time, comfort, energy, commitment, or the willingness to step into the unknown.

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Tracy Queensberry

Why this class exists.

Every decision costs something. It might be money, time, comfort, energy, commitment, or the willingness to step into the unknown. The challenge is determining whether what you're getting in return is worth the investment.

In this Influential Women masterclass, Tracy Queensberry shares the decision-making approach she developed through decades of personal and professional change. From becoming a mother at 17 and earning her GED to pursuing college, relocating for career opportunities, and navigating an unexpected layoff, Tracy learned that confidence doesn't come from knowing exactly how a decision will turn out. It comes from understanding the risks, preparing for what you can, and trusting yourself to move forward.

At the center of the masterclass is a practical three-part framework: Evaluate, Accept, Commit. Evaluate what the decision will require and what you hope to gain. Accept the risks and costs that come with your choice. Then commit, giving a thoughtfully made decision enough room to produce its return.

Through real-life examples, Tracy explores how boundaries, backup plans, critical thinking, and separating fear from facts can reduce uncertainty and help us make decisions with greater confidence. The goal isn't to guarantee a perfect outcome. It's to develop a process you can trust, even when the outcome is uncertain.

In this masterclass, you'll learn:

  • How to think about the true cost of a decision
  • Why return on investment applies to more than money
  • How to separate legitimate risks from fear of the unknown
  • Why boundaries and guardrails can make decisions easier
  • How preparation helps build confidence
  • The role of backup plans in managing uncertainty
  • How to evaluate what you're investing and what you hope to gain
  • Why accepting risk is part of making a confident choice
  • How overthinking can interfere with decision-making
  • When it's time to stop renegotiating with yourself
  • Why commitment creates momentum
  • How better decision-making can strengthen trust in yourself

Tracy's framework isn't designed to eliminate uncertainty. It's designed to make it manageable. Because when you can evaluate clearly, accept what you cannot control, and commit confidently, even a daunting decision can begin to feel possible.



Tracy Queensberry.

Tracy Queensberry, MSM, is an enterprise governance and transformation leader specializing in information governance, operational execution, regulatory compliance, and organizational modernization within highly regulated environments. With more than 20 years of experience spanning federal, research, and enterprise organizations, she has led large-scale modernization initiatives that align policy, technology, and business operations to improve accountability, reduce risk, and enable sustainable transformation. Tracy is recognized for translating complex governance and compliance concepts into practical strategies that organizations can implement successfully. She is a selected speaker for the 2026 NAGARA Annual Conference and serves as Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Directors for New Haven Ministries, where she supports the organization's governance and fiduciary responsibilities. Passionate about lifelong learning and leadership development, Tracy enjoys helping professionals build meaningful careers through resilience, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities for growth.
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