My daily upload in service of friends who want to be a better version of themselves

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Picture credit - ​DeekshaLearning
Day 1 - Decision-Making Skill
10 April 2020
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Prabodh Sirur
sirurp@gmail.com

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What is Decision-Making Skill?
Decision-Making Skill is the ability to use a decision making process/ technique to arrive at
a decision.
How to improve Decision-Making Skill?
Set a goal to ​become a go-to person​ by mastering the art and science of Decision-Making.
Follow the ​LAST model​ to build your personal brand as a Guru of Decision-Making.
1. Learn - Invest time in learning different models/ techniques of Decision-Making
2. Apply -
a. Identify a model suitable to you
b. Create a template to document the flow of the process
c. Find opportunities to use the selected method/ template
d. Maintain record/ process flow of every decision you make
e. Maintain notes of your thoughts/ insights/ failures/ challenges…. to be used
for sharing/ training others
3. Share - Share the insights captured in step 2 above in a planned manner (social
media posts, blogs, videos, study notes…)
4. Train - Generate opportunities to train your peers and team members so that, over
time, your organization benefits from your efforts
My learning for the day
Source - ​How to Make Decisions
Author - Content team of Mindtools
Challenges when taking decisions
● Uncertainty – Many of the facts may be unknown.
● Complexity – There can be many, interrelated factors to consider.
● High-risk consequences – The impact of the decision may be significant.
● Alternatives – There may be various alternatives, each with its own set of
uncertainties and consequences.

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● Interpersonal issues – You need to predict how different people will react.
A Systematic Approach for Making Decisions
A logical and ordered process can help you to ensure that you address all of the critical
elements needed for a successful outcome. These are great steps to follow -
1. Create an appropriate environment by documenting
a. List of stakeholders
b. Method/ model to be used for decision making
c. Data sources to be used for taking decisions
d. Milestone/ communication plan so that all stakeholders are on a single page
2. Investigate the situation
a. Analyse the problem using 5 Whys, Fishbone….
b. Define problem statement in a scientific manner (eg using ​IRCP​ model)
3. Generate alternatives
4. Evaluate and choose the best fit option with available inputs of the time (including
execution plan)
5. Communicate the decision (including the supporting documentation)
6. Maintain the documentation for future use

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Purpose of this document
I took a 66 day challenge​ to study Life Skills last year (10 April 2019). To my astonishment,
I succeeded in studying for 66 days one skill a day.
My objectives of learning these skills were - To strengthen my mind to face life’s challenges
with ease, To use these skills in my worklife for a better performance, To use these skills in
my personal life for enriching my relationships, To open new possibilities to surprise
myself.
This is my next 66 day challenge​ (from 10 April 2020) - To share my Life Skills learning
with my social media friends.
I pray that my toil helps you in your success journey.
What are Life Skills?
UNICEF​ defines Life skills as - ​psychosocial abilities​ for adaptive and positive behaviour
that enable individuals ​to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of
everyday life​. They are loosely grouped into three broad categories of skills
- cognitive skills​ for analyzing and using information,
- personal skills​ for developing personal agency and managing oneself,
- inter-personal skills​ for communicating and interacting effectively with others.
Which LifeSkills are covered?
The​ ​World Health Organisation​ identified these basic areas of life skills that are relevant
across cultures:
1. Decision-making
2. Problem-solving
3. creative thinking
4. critical thinking
5. communication
6. interpersonal skills
7. Self-awareness
8. Empathy
9. coping with emotions
10. coping with stress.

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Some trivia
‘Life skills’ was never part of the school curriculum. WHO/ UNESCO mandated academia to
teach these skills in all schools across the globe in 1993.
Different countries educate their children in these skills with different objectives
- Zimbabwe and Thailand - prevention of HIV/AIDS
- Mexico - prevention of adolescent pregnancy
- United Kingdom - child abuse prevention
- USA - prevention of substance abuse and violence
- South Africa and Colombia - positive socialization of children.