In this assignment, which will be developed over the period of time covering Modules 5 through 8, you will develop a case study about YOU and your development regarding decision making. You will read specific chapters from the Kyle book in each module as well as other professional articles and case studies. You will add to your case study journal each week by responding to the readings according to the chart below.
Module Five Introduction – Recall a time when you have had to make an important decision – personal or professional. At this point, do you view that decision as a good one or a not-so-good one? Why? How could you have improved the decision-making process at that point? How important is effective decision making in your personal and/or professional life now? Chapter 1 – Know Thyself: The Power of a Decision Journal Share your first reaction about the idea of using a decision journal to assist in making better decisions. Remember there are no right or wrong responses; this case study is about YOU. Are you feeling like a decision journal may help you to become a better decision maker? Why or why not? Chapter 2 – Own Your Power: Embrace Your Decision-Making Responsibility Write about one decision where you didn’t take responsibility. What happened? What was your role? Why didn’t you take responsibility? What would you do differently now?
Module Six Chapter 3 – Overcome Obstacles: Break Down Barriers to Making Good Decisions List three decisions that you made in the past that did not have good outcomes. For each of these decisions, what barriers discussed in chapter 3 affected your decision making? Chapter 4 – Mind Your Thoughts: Intelligently Prepare Your Mind to Make Better Choices Take a look at the list of mental models in Appendix C of the Kyle book. Pick out three models you would like to understand better. In a brief paragraph about each, describe your current understanding of the model and why (or how) you believe the use of this mental model would help to improve your decision making.
Module Seven Chapter 5 – Know What You Know: Leverage Your Circle of Competence Describe the circle of competence that you need to be an effective decision maker in your current leadership role – or in the leadership role that you envision for yourself when you complete this degree. Describe three steps you will take to broaden your circle of competence in your organization or department? Chapter 6 – Just Do It: Find a Process and Use it Consistently After reviewing the four decision processes described by Kyle in Chapter 6, choose the one process that you think would work the best for you in making sound decisions. Or feel free to choose two processes to combine in a way that makes sense for you. Explain why you think the steps in this process will work best for you. Explain how you expect to utilize the process the next time you have to make a decision at work.
Module Eight Chapter 7 – Look Back: Evaluate and Improve Your Decisions Chapter 8 – Make Time: Be Patient and Find Focus Answer ONE of the following two questions: What decision have you made recently that had a bad process but a good outcome? What decision have you made recently that had a good process but a bad outcome? Chapter 9 – Conclusion: Know Yourself, Improve Your Decisions How to you think your decision making has improved in the process of reading the Kyle book?