Decision-Making: “The five keys for decision-making”
Structure
The trainees/ students will:
➔ understand the idea of decision-making.
➔ know several steps to reflect decision-making and on how to better decide
➔ know how to survive or overcome with decisions that are not so good (failure decision > experience > better decision)
➔ have gained confidence in decision-making
➔ have learned about decisions and consequences
Self-reflection, multiple-choice / true or false questions, case study, team work (optional)
Testimonial TED Talk (Video), Quiz
20 minutes in total
German and English (audio and subtitles in video)
“Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.” (M. Twain)
Introduction: Welcome text (what it is all about) – aim of the course and the steps explained; learn how to gain the most out of this programme including preparing questions/statements relating to the video.
In this course students will learn about decision-making and how different methods and tips will allow reflecting and considering one’s own behavior. The videos show Austrian entrepreneurs talking about their experiences in decision-making. Students will watch one out of the videos, reflect on it and learn from considering the outcomes.
We will provide an age-appropriate welcome text (what it is all about) that shows the aims of the course and the steps explained; incl. preparing questions/statements relating to the video.
Young female students will discover and learn how to gain the most out of this programme as it happens that self-confidence and self-esteem on decision-making could still be strengthened.
- Video content (Zoom; mobile phone)
- Text (word, pdf, online link)
- Quiz (online link, learning apps like Kahoot)
- Cloze
- Problem/Case Definition
Self-confidence, problem solving, communication, negotiating
Step by Step Instructions
- Read the introduction and guiding questions on decision-making, like: dealing with different opinions and points of view when you have to make a decision in a team, what factors influence your decision-making when there are uncertainties, importance of time, method and strategy for making decisions.
- Watch the video on decision-making.
- Reflect on the video with questions like: Are there examples of difficult decisions and how they were dealt with? What about fears and uncertainties when faced with important decisions? What consequences are usually considered before making a decision? Are there advantages of decisions made in a team? What disadvantages can occur?
- Answer the quiz (which is a part of learning process for quick decisions).
- Problem case study/definition on decision-making like consequences and risks, fear and self-esteem, doubts and concerns (discussion with partner or alone i.e. how would you decide). For example it will be a question from the video that is to be discussed on the basis of a problem outline.
- Short conclusion statement: Write a short paragraph: What did you learn today? Do you think making decisions will be easier for you in the near future? Do you consider being more confident?
Specialized Information for Trainers
How, when, where could it be implemented in the Practice Enterprise learning experience?
As an input in daily PE work (at the beginning of a PE session, in a team meeting, for group work etc.: department meetings like Marketing Meeting and implementing the course as a preparation. It could also be a preparation for PE in general when introducing PE trainees to the more autonomous work in a PE).
Is there a need to include other trainers / teachers / subjects?
No, there is no “need” to include trainers or teachers of other subjects.
What topics could be connected in the class session / PE Session to introduce the Team Building topic?
In-Class: decision making tools, communication & negotiation, team building, problem solving. During the Course / Video / Quiz: digital skills, etc.
What does one need to be careful about when approaching this topic?
Nothing special; this topic is suitable for everybody. Maybe it might be an idea to distinguish between individual decisions and group decisions, where negotiation techniques might be important.
●What could be improved in the decision-making process? Are there steps the trainee or the programme did not consider?
●How did the trainee come to his / her decision(s)? Was the path understandable and well-based?
●Did the trainee consider all information needed / required to make a well-based decision?
●Did the trainee ask for help unnecessarily? Did he/she rush the decision? (e.g. to just get it over with)
●What are success factors in the trainees’ / trainers’ point of view?
1. You are on the right track.
2. I have seen your improvement over time. As a next step, it is a good idea to…
3. You have improved a lot and should start to look towards taking on harder tasks for the future to achieve more self-confidence to make decisions.
4. You have potential and should work on your …. to achieve better outcomes. One area for improvement is…
5. Keep up the good work! You will see better results in the future if you make the effort to attend the PE classes more regularly.
6. You are doing well, but there is always room for improvement. Try these tips to get better results: …
7. You have made some good progress, but it would be good to see you focusing harder on the assignment question so you don’t misinterpret it next time.
8. Your efforts are commendable, but you could still do better if you provide more specific examples in your explanations.
9. You have done well so far, but don’t become complacent – there is always room for improvement!
10. It is great that you are trying your best, but don’t stop here – keep pushing yourself to get even better results.
List of links to further develop the given topic
- Definision: Decision-making – Wikipedia
- Article: Decision-Making | Psychology Today
- LinkedIn Quotes: 15 motivational quotes to help you make decisions.
- Tools: 13 Decision Making Techniques and Tools for Business
- Tools for Trainers: The 7 Steps of Effective Decision Making
- Research Findings: Gruppenverhalten – Treffen Frauen „bessere“ Entscheidungen? (DE)
- Research and Recommendations incl. Guide Books: Gute Entscheidungen treffen und herbeiführen: Entscheiden als Führungskraft – Wirtschaftspsychologische Gesellschaft
Download the Mini Course Structure on Decision-Making in your language:
