we teach decision making using a four-step model: Stop, Look, Think, Decide.
STOP: When faced with a choice, our first step is to
stop. Pausing gives us the gift of time before deciding. In a society
that is used to—no, thrives on—instant gratification, it’s
tempting to decide things quickly and without much thought. Buying a bit
of time helps us avoid making haphazard, misguided decisions.
LOOK: We must look at all of the options before we
push forward through a decision. What are the choices? What are the pros
and cons of each choice? Will doing this be helpful? Will it be
hurtful? Answering these inquiries will provide reflection. Listing the
pros and cons on paper will provide clarity to help us get a realistic
look before we leap.
THINK: This part of the process is our chance to
consider the stakeholders in and the consequences of our decisions. A
stakeholder is anyone whom our decision might affect. Ask students to
brainstorm a list of stakeholders before they make a big decision. Who
might care about this choice? Whom might it affect? How? What might be
the outcome, positive or negative?
An effective activity to help students understand the extent of their reach is to set up a scenario and pose the question: Who will care?
For example, you’re late to your baseball game; who will care? Invite
students to stand as they answer that question: your team, the other
team, the parents, the siblings, the grandparents, the coaches, the
umpires, etc. When they’ve named everyone they can think of, prepare for
an interesting discussion about all of the stakeholders in that one
scenario and the big impact that even seemingly small decisions can
have.
DECIDE: After looking at all of the options and
thinking through all of the potential consequences, good and bad,
comfortable and uncomfortable, it’s time to actually make a choice—to
decide what’s best for all stakeholders involved.
