Decision-Making Skills
REMEMBER
The most successful decision-makers
don't act on impulse, intuition, or even
experience alone;
They have a system that they work
through step by step.
This system is called:
DECISION MAKING
WHAT IS DECISION MAKING?
• Perfect decisions are few and far
between because life is messy.
• A great decision is always possible,
however.
• Great decisions don't all have fairytale
endings, but they do achieve the best
possible outcome under the
circumstances.
WHY DO WE NEED TO
MAKE GOOD DECISIONS?
• To achieve your goals.
• To avoid mistakes.
“No one makes the right decision every time. But by
developing your decision-making skills, you can increase
your success rate!“
QUALITIES OF A GOOD DECISION MAKER
• Intuition and Action: The ability
to know or feel something
without using logic or reason.
• Analytical Skill and Knowledge:
The ability to use logic to
examine and measure a problem.
FOR GOOD Decision Making
•
•
•
•
Be honest.
Accept the responsibility.
Use time wisely.
Have confidence.
BAD Decision Making
• Have unrealistic
expectations.
• Make “snap” decisions.
• Take unnecessary
action.
• Fool yourself.
Making Sound Decisions
• Take responsibility
• Use the step-by-step
approach – 6 STEP
APPROACH
• Take full advantage
MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS - AND TAKE CHARGE
OF YOUR LIFE!
Anatomy of a Decision
Step 1: Define the problem.
Step 2: Reevaluate the Situation.
Step 3: Gather Information.
Step 4: Think of Alternatives.
Step 5: Choose an Alternative.
Step 6: Put Your Decision to Work!
REMEMBER
1. Define the issue. A problem well
stated is a problem half solved.
Employ the "who, what, when, why, and
how" regimen of the journalist, although
not necessarily in that order.
• Why is the decision necessary?
• What is the objective?
• How can a great decision change things
for the better?
• Whom will it affect?
• When does it need to be made?
REMEMBER
2. Take a positive approach.
• Make a conscious effort to see the
situation as an opportunity rather
than a problem.
REMEMBER
3. List your options.
• The more alternatives you
consider, the more likely you will
be to not overlook the best solution.
REMEMBER
• 4. Gather information
about your options.
• You will not only make
better decisions if you
have investigated
thoroughly, but you will
also have more peace of
mind as you carry out
your decision.
REMEMBER
• 5. Be objective.
• If you already have an opinion
on the matter, the natural
tendency will be to look
primarily for evidence to
confirm that opinion.
• Welcome alternatives and
opposing views.
• Remind yourself that the goal
is not to prove yourself right,
but to make the right decision.
REMEMBER
» 6.
Consider your options.
• Write down the pros and cons for
each option and see how they stack
up against each other.
•
• Try to determine both best-case and
worst-case scenarios for each option.
• See if there is some way to combine
several promising solutions into one
potent solution.
ALSO REMEMBER
Be true to yourself. Do any of the
alternatives compromise your values?
If so, scratch them OUT from the list.
ALSO REMEMBER
Make a decision!
When you're convinced that you've found
the best alternative, commit to it.
FINAL COMMENTS
Be open to change if circumstances change.
Once you make a decision and begin to act on it, a better option
may open up. This is sometimes referred to as the "boat-andrudder effect."
It's not until a boat is in motion that the rudder can come into
play, but when it does, it makes greater maneuverability
possible.
Case Study on Decision Making
Train Track and
Children
Introduction
The story given here is quite
interesting
and
really gives us an insight into
DECISION MAKING
Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two
railway tracks, one still in use while the
other disused. Only one child played on the
disused track, the rest on the operational
track.
Which one will you choose?
The train came, and you were just beside
the track interchange. You could make the
train change its course to the disused track
and saved most of the kids.
Which one will you choose?
However, that would also mean the lone
child playing by the disused track would
be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the
train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of
decision we could make................
Which one will you choose?
Analyse the situation………….
Think and reflect…….
Decided your answer !!!!
Now … go ahead
Which one will you choose?
Most people might choose to divert
the course of the train, and sacrifice
only one child. To save most of the
children at the expense of only one
child was rational decision most
people would make, morally and
emotionally.
Which one will you choose?
But, have you ever thought that the child
choosing to play on the disused track had in
fact made the right decision to play at a safe
place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because
of his ignorant friends who chose to play
where the danger was.
Which one will you choose?
This kind of dilemma happens around us
everyday.
In the office, community, in politics and
especially in a democratic society, the minority
is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority.
No matter how foolish or ignorant the majority
are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the
minority are.
Which one will you choose?
The child who chose not to play with
the rest on the operational track was
sidelined.
And in the case he was sacrificed, no
one would shed a tear for him.
Which one will you choose?
•To make the proper decision is not try
to change the course of the train
because the kids playing on the
operational track should have known
very well that track was still in use
•They should have run away if they
heard the train's sirens.
Which one will you choose?
If the train was diverted, that lone child
would definitely die because he never thought
the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably
because it was not safe.
Which one will you choose?
If the train was diverted to the track, we
could put the lives of all passengers on board
at stake!
And in your attempt to save a few kids by
sacrificing one child, you might end up
sacrificing hundreds of people to save these
few kids
Which one will you choose?
While we are all aware that life is full of
tough decisions that need to be made, we may
not realize that hasty decisions may not
always be the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always
popular... and what's popular isn't always
right."
Don’t be afraid to take decisions
BE AFRAID TO MAKE
Everybody makes mistakes; that's why
they put erasers on pencils