A632.1.4.RB - Multistage Decision-Making

In thinking about my decision making process and reflecting on the processes I use, I do believe I utilize similar practices in evaluating my own thinking. The questions managers ask themselves are:

• Am I being myopic?
• How appropriate is the starting analogy I'm using to solve a problem?
• What are the penalties for making an error?
• What am I learning from the feedback I am receiving?

As a supervisor for 27 direct and indirect supervisees, I recall asking myself the fourth question rather often. What am I learning from the feedback I'm receiving? First of all, I make sure then I asked for feedback often, but usually from my to direct supervise these. Is important that they see me as someone who is open minded and cognizant of my flaws. I keep an open door in eating them with their work and asking for input on my own work especially when it affects them directly. I realize that as a direct supervisor I have the most impact on  employees' experiences in my department and my organization. 

I take the responsibility making the office a peaceful place for them to work. I have to take initiative to make things better by avoiding an unfair and hostile work environment. I realize that spite is bound to ruin affected communication. I recognize their contributions and check on their progress in projects not by asking them where they are, but by asking what I can do to help them and congratulating them when they're on the right track to success. The decisions that one makes today can hope to make better decisions in the future (p. 60). 

I anticipate to learn from those I supervise. I am intrigued by multi-stage decision making because it respects the present and the future as equal. If today, and every day before today, I treated my supervisees as cherished portions of my professional and private life, it would hardly impact them if tomorrow I made a mistake that negatively affected them in only a slight way. It is because I have build up this credit of showing my desire to help them succeed that I can be forgiven for minor indiscretion in the future. However, if I treated them unfairly and disrespected them everyday up until now, one small then sit or gift would not change their opinion of me as a whole.

Hoch, S. J., & Kunreuther, H. C. (2005). Wharton on making decisions. (1st edition.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.