Making Responsible Decisions

Leadership Styles Autocratic - is a form of government in which the political power is held by a single, self-appointed ruler. Autocratic - is a form of government in which the political power is held by a single, self-appointed ruler. Democratic -(or participative) leadership involves the leader including team members in the decision making process (determining what to do and how to do it Democratic -(or participative) leadership involves the leader including team members in the decision making process (determining what to do and how to do it Laissez-faire - is a term used to describe a policy of allowing events to take their own course Laissez-faire - is a term used to describe a policy of allowing events to take their own course Best when members are experienced and self- directed Best when members are experienced and self- directed

Effective Leaders An effective leader delegates responsibilities An effective leader delegates responsibilities Effective leaders are persuasive and provide encouragement to motivate people Effective leaders are persuasive and provide encouragement to motivate people Effective leaders accept differences among individuals Effective leaders accept differences among individuals Effective leaders help create new projects/activities Effective leaders help create new projects/activities

Why Do Some People Avoid Decision Making? Decision making involves risk Decision making involves risk You may be afraid of offending someone when you make a decision You may be afraid of offending someone when you make a decision Sometimes it just seems easier to let someone else decide than to risk the consequences of making a bad decision Sometimes it just seems easier to let someone else decide than to risk the consequences of making a bad decision

Why Should People Evaluate the Effects of Their Decisions? Your decisions have impact on other people as well Your decisions have impact on other people as well Losing sight of this can cause you to hurt others, even if it is unintentional Losing sight of this can cause you to hurt others, even if it is unintentional

Six-Step Procedure for Making Decisions 1. State the Situation 1. State the Situation 2. List the Options 2. List the Options 3. Weigh the Possible Outcomes 3. Weigh the Possible Outcomes 4. Consider your Values 4. Consider your Values 5. Make a Decision and Act 5. Make a Decision and Act 6. Evaluate the Decision and Take Responsibility for it 6. Evaluate the Decision and Take Responsibility for it

Why is it helpful to think through the options before making a decision? By focusing on alternatives you can realize other possibilities By focusing on alternatives you can realize other possibilities Exploring options shows possibilities that you don’t see at first Exploring options shows possibilities that you don’t see at first

What are Five Troublemakers that can Interfere with Decision Making? Procrastination – putting things off Procrastination – putting things off Impulsiveness – acting without thinking of consequences Impulsiveness – acting without thinking of consequences Avoidance – not making a decision at all Avoidance – not making a decision at all Deferring – letting others make decisions Deferring – letting others make decisions Blaming – when decisions have negative results, people want to blame others Blaming – when decisions have negative results, people want to blame others

How can Responsible Decision Making Help You in Your Future? A responsible approach to decision making will enable you to avoid the troublemakers and choose options and actions that work well for you. A responsible approach to decision making will enable you to avoid the troublemakers and choose options and actions that work well for you.