Good decisions are the product of four ingredients: accountability, responsibility, discipline, and a rational process.
The outstanding feature of a good decision is that it is emphatic [see photo].
Yesterday I was sitting at a table in an open part of a Cafe [in Prague just behind the National Parliament]. I have been there before so I knew what to order. Just as I finishing my pancakes a young family took their place at the next table; there was nothing special about that event. However... My ears prick when I heard the mother say to her two children [a girl about 14 and a boy about 8]: "you must decide together what you will eat because it will be divided into two servings. And there will be not a word of complaint about that. Got it. So what are you going to have to eat?" Wow... That is incredible I thought to myself. I paid my bill with a good tip because I was feeling so good about everything in that moment.
On my way out I stopped by their table. I explained my intrusion on their lunch as follows. "Many many years ago I was teaching a group of undergraduates the basics of decision theory. They were kids who knew nothing about anything. I saw how you got the children to share the decision process. And I noted that you demanded accountability, responsibility, discipline, and a rational process to arrive at their decision. I want you to know [addressing the young girl] that you have a truly wonderful mum. You would do well to cherish this fact."
At the end of my little speech everyone at their table was smiling with pride. The mother was blushing when [while clasping her bosom] she said: "you have made my day"
Good decisions will make your day too...
Richard.
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