Collaborative Decision Making
Collaboration can be an
effective means for finding a resolution. There is a lot of significant in obtaining
advice and/or seeking counsel from a friend when making an important, life altering
decision. For example, before when I was trying to decide whether I should take
the position with Embry Riddle, I struggled for days. It wasn’t until I decided
to contact my friend Wally for advice, that I reached a resolution.
Wally helped me outline
the pros and cons of changing jobs. He told me that I needed to let go of my
fear and consider all possible options; so that is exactly what I did. However,
before I began, Wally told me that I had to start by determined what I wanted
from my job: what type of environment, benefits, and salary, extra. Then, he
told me to determine the risks if I were to leave and/or if I were chose to
stay. Once I determined the risks, he
told me I could then began to list the pros and cons of each position.
Wally seemed to have
his own a vision of resolution, much like the one I highlighted in the
discussion board from Levin (2009). He helped me formulate a desirable outcome
by giving me the advice I needed to work through my internal conflict. He helped
me too: create a vision, address specific concerns/fears I had about each
position, re-evaluate or adjust my vision according to my expectations,
determine if my vision was workable, and bring light to what was missing;
things I did not consider. Although Wally’s option of working for Embry Riddle
was construed due to his job and the dismantle of the Space Shuttle Program,
that did not prevent him from helping me create a vision of the future.
According to Levine
(2009) “you collaborate in language by making implicit agreements (taking to
yourself about what you think the agreement is) and explicit agreements
(discussing the agreement with others)”. In the case, I reinforced my decision
to take the job at Embry Riddle by discussing the situation with Wally and
obtaining his input. To this day, I cannot think of anyone else more equip to
give me advice, especially when the decision involves my career. Wally has
always looked out for me and has always had my best interest at heart.
Overall, the lessons
Wally taught me: letting go of my fear and considering all possible options, determining
if my vision is workable and bring light to what is missing will help me when
making difficult decisions in the future.
Reference
Levine, S. (2009). Getting to
resolution: Turning conflict into collaboration. San
Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
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