Decision-Making Skills

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

REMEMBER

• 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.

WHAT IS DECISION MAKING?

• 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!“

WHY DO WE NEED TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS?

• 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.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD DECISION MAKER

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!

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.

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.

ALSO REMEMBER

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-and-rudder 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.

FINAL COMMENTS

Case Study on Decision Making

Train Track and Children

The story given here is quite interesting

and really gives us an insight into

DECISION MAKING

Introduction

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."

Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils

Don’t be afraid to take decisionsBE AFRAID TO MAKE