UNIT 6. MAKING DECISIONS

 

STARTING POINT

Task 1▐ Discuss the questions.

·     Think of one good decisioyou have made. How much were you guided by facts and figures? How much did you follow your intuition?

·     Does having more time to think produce better decisions? Or do you decide faster and more wisely when under pressure?

 

READING

Task 2▐ Read the text about one of the decision-making technique and answer the questions.

 

1.   What are the six different “hats” in Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats technique, and what does each hat represent in the decision-making process?

2.   How does the use of the Black Hat contribute to effective decision-making within a team?

3.   Can you provide an example of a scenario where the Green Hat would be particularly useful, and explain why?

4.   In what ways does the Blue Hat differ from the other hats, and what role does it play in managing the thinking process?

5.   How might the Red Hat improve decision-making in situations where team members are reluctant to express their feelings?

 

Six Thinking Hats

By Josiah Kaplan, betterevaluation.org

 

The Six Thinking Hats method encourages participants to cycle through six different ways of thinking, using the metaphor of wearing different conceptual “hats”.

Developed by Dr Edward de Bono, the “Six Thinking Hats” technique is a framework designed to promote holistic and lateral thinking in decision-making and evaluation. Conducted alone or in group meetings, participants – project members, key decision-makers and stakeholders – are encouraged to cycle through different modalities of thinking using the metaphor of wearing different conceptual “hats”.

This approach seeks to combine the strengths of a range of different mental “states” which individuals instinctively tend towards – from rational and positive perspectives to emotional and intuitive, or from optimistic to pessimistic – by prompting participants to consider the same problem through a full spectrum of thinking styles in coming to a common agreement on a decision or shared purpose.

Six “hats” are available to use, each identified by a different colour symbolic of a different style of thinking, and each dictating a unique mode of analysis. These include:

White hat: “Information”. Objectively consider available information, focusing only on data available, where gaps in existing knowledge exist, and what trends can be extrapolated from the information to hand.

Red hat: “Emotions”. Identify emotional reactions, judgments, suspicions and intuitions in oneself and others, separate from the objective data itself.

Black hat: “Negatives”. Raise and consider any potential flaws, risks, challenges and fears in a decision or plan in order to preempt them and avoid the dangers of over-optimism.

Yellow hat: “Positives”. Identify all optimistic, constructive aspects and suggestions regarding a decision or plan, with an eye towards building confidence and enthusiasm at the outset. 

Green hat: “Creativity”. ‘Blue-sky’ thinking. Consider abstract thinking, digressions, alternative proposals, and provocative statements.

Blue hat: “Overview”. Consider the entire thinking process itself, i.e. ‘metacognition'. Review and assess the six hats session thus far, identify places where a specific modality of thinking needs expanding, revisiting, or balancing.

In a Six Thinking Hats session, each of these hats is “worn” by participants, the process guided by a facilitator familiar with the method. These hats may be metaphorical, or even physical, and each change of “hat” indicates the next stage of the session. By the end of a successful Six Hats session, a particular decision or evaluation will thus have been considered from a range of viewpoints.

 

VOCABULARY

Task 3▐ Fill in the blanks with missing words and phrases.

 

 

Navigating Decision-Making: Strategies for Success

Making _______________(1) can sometimes feel _______________(2), but by breaking down the process into smaller steps, it becomes more manageable. Start by clearly defining the _______________(3) or choice you are facing. Consider the potential outcomes of each option and weigh _______________(4). It;s essential to trust yourself and your instincts while also seeking advice from trusted sources when needed. Remember, _______________(5) are a natural part of the decision-making process, so don't be discouraged by setbacks. Stay _______________(6), gather all the information you need, and approach your decisions with _______________(7) and a well-thought-out strategy.

 

Task 4▐ Match the phrases with their definitions.

Phrases:

1. take it or leave it

2. make a snap decision

3. weigh the pros and cons

4. make up your mind

5. change your mind

6. keep your options open

7. have second thoughts

8. be in two minds

Definitions:

a. to decide on something after considering all the options.

b. to feel uncertain or undecided about something.

c. to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of a decision before making it.

d. to not make a final decision so that you can choose from different possibilities later.

e. an offer where there is no room for negotiation, either accept it as it is or decline.

f. to decide differently than you did before.

g. to reconsider a decision or opinion.

h. to make a quick and often impulsive choice without much thought.

 

GRAMMAR USE ▐ Question Words

Question words, also known as interrogative words, are used to gather information, clarify details, or prompt discussion. Understanding how to use question words correctly is crucial for effective communication. Common question words include:

·       Who: Used to inquire about people (e. g. Who is responsible for this project?)

·       What: Used to ask about things, actions, or information (e. g. What are the main objectives of the meeting?)

·       When: Used to ask about time or schedules (e. g. When is the deadline for submitting proposals?)

·       Where: Used to inquire about locations or places (e. g. Where is the conference room located?)

·       Why: Used to ask for reasons or explanations (e. g. Why was the project delayed?)

·       How: Used to ask about methods, processes, or procedures (e. g. How do we improve customer satisfaction?)

 

Task 5▐ Fill in the blanks with the appropriate question word.

1.                 ______ is leading the marketing campaign for the new product launch?

2.                 ______ are the key performance indicators for evaluating project success?

3.                 ______ is the next board meeting scheduled?

4.                 ______ can we access the financial report?

5.                 ______ was the decision made to restructure the department?

6.                 ______ do we implement the new software system?

7.                 ______ are the main challenges facing the sales team?

8.                 ______ did the client express dissatisfaction with our services?

9.                 ______ do we need to complete the project?

10.            ______ can I find information about employee benefits?

VIDEO   Task 6▐ Watch the video about decision-making strategies [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ascl5XHrxV-2QzXSkGcaEdrxq2MrLzit/view?usp=sharing] and answer the questions.

1. How can you make a decision more objectively?

2. What is the first step to making any decision?

3. How can you compare different options when making a decision?

4. What technique involves creating a scorecard for each option?

5. Why is it important to consider long-term consequences when making decisions?

6. How can distracting yourself with a two-minute activity help in decision-making?

7. Why is adopting a different point of view helpful when making decisions?

8. How do you usually make decisions in your daily life?

9. What factors can influence your decision-making process?

10. Do you think it’s important to consider both rational and emotional aspects when making a decision?

11. How do you handle making decisions with long-term consequences?

 

COMMUNICATION PRACTICE

Task 7▐ Choose a question or decision you have been struggling with. Write down pros and cons. Present your results.

 

WRITING

Task 8▐ Write a social media post discussing how different personality types influence decision making.