DECISION MAKING

Train Track and Children

 A group of children were playing
nearby two railway tracks.
 One still in use while the other
unused.
 Only one child played on the
disused track, rest all on the
operational tracks.
Now please read it carefully
 A 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
 However, that would also mean that
the lone child playing by disused track
would be sacrificed…
Or would you rather let the train go its
way?
Which one will you choose?
 Most people might choose to divert the
course of the train and sacrifice only one
child. It’s the most rational decision, for
most of the people, morally and
emotionally.
But have you thought…
 The child who chose to play on the
disused track had made the right
decision to play at a safe place?
 The train was not in use probably
because it was not safe.
To make the right decision

 Would be not to divert the train course,

cause children playing on the operational
track knew that it is operational and
could be alert for the train siren. They
would run away once they listen to the
train siren.
 Its OK
 Everybody makes mistakes; that’s why
they put erasers on pencils
While we know…
 Life is full of tough decisions, its not fair to
life to make hasty decisions.
 Remember that what’s right
isn’t always popular… and what’s popular
isn’t always right.
A guide for Creative Decision Making
 Curious Observation – Be alert, what
decision are needed.
 Is there a problem?
 Goals and planning – break decisions
into sub decisions – set goals and
plan ahead.
 Search, explore and gather
evidences – explore all angles.
Creative Decision Making
 Generate Logical and Creative
Alternative – Search for ideas,
consult others, read more.
 Evaluate the evidence – the tentative
solutions
 Hypothesis – Choose the best
solution as your working hypothesis.
Make predictions to be tested
 Challenge the Hypothesis – Test.
Experiment.
Decision Making
 Reach a conclusion – Can others
confirm your conclusion?
 Suspend Judgment – Be ready to
accept new evidence.
 Take Action
THANK YOU