Decision making models
Most of us have heard the term core values even if that is not the term we use for the criteria which we say we want to use to form the foundation of our decision making model. Sadly, many of us work for a person or an organization using a different set of core values thereby resulting in a conflict between two or more of our core values. For example, a core value might be to “bring home my share of the. bacon” so that I and my family are housed, clothed and fed. Another of my core values might be to do my best to attempt to treat others with love and respect. If I determine that the person or organization for which I work is requiring me to sell a product to a customer which is not the best or right product for them there is a conflict between two of my core values. I might then decide to respectfully let my boss know I cannot do what is being asked of me, the result of which might be to be fired. Before I talk to my boss I could request a family meeting and decide to abide by the decision of the majority of the family. Making family decisions on all issues which affect the family might be another core value.
So far, I have mentioned three core values:
1. Do my share in bringing home the bacon.2. Treat all others with love and respect.3. Make decisions as a family.
Some of my other core values might be:
4. Take daily responsibility for my holistic health and support the health of my loved ones.5. Be a responsible, considerate steward of the community.6. Be a responsible, considerate steward of the environment.7. Accept that honesty with self is a process but commit to do my best to make this a priority8. Be humble and open to learning in all areas of life. 9. Do my best to be empathic and to not judge others.10. Avoid, whenever possible, labeling events or people - drop the dualities.11. Accept that, at times, I am going to be forced to choose between two core values.
If I am to attempt to use a decision-making model which includes these core values I am going to frequently be faced with 11. I am also going to have to respect that others are also faced with that issue. For example, my commitment to respecting the environment may conflict with being empathic and not judging others. Consider the coal miner who is asked to participate in mountain top strip mining. He or she may live with their family in a community which has no other decent paying jobs. Various other core commitments may prevent them from moving. They might have children who are doing well in a local school system or who have a coach who is preparing them for the Olympics or to get a sports or academic scholarship to college. What is the most moral or ethical decision?
Daily, thoughtful, good people are faced with such moral or ethical conflicts. If we view the results of their decisions from our safe distances, it may be easy to judge them. If we want the mountain top removal coal miner to make decisions based on core values with which we can live we need to do our part to create a community which has designed ways of taking care of ourselves, our family, the community and the environment. The coal miner has to have realistic, viable employment options. If we want the people to purchase only organic produce or meat from free-range animals it has to be affordable. It is easy to be judgmental and self-righteous when one has the privilege of real choices.
I am fascinated and sad about the fact that many individuals, regardless of college degrees and other education, cannot begin to articulate their core values and, thus, the source of their dis ease. This has to be the starting point. I think most of us know we are out of balance with each other and the earth, but many of us do not have a decision-making model which can clearly identify the issues. Teaching decision making models based on core values needs to be the first step in our educational systems. Learning skills which do not lead to being able to design a fulfilling life journey is not helpful or kind. Studies reveal a majority of college students say they are attending college to make money with no ability to identify or articulate the kind of world they want to build and in which they want to live. We have the power as the elders to help them envision and make manifest such a world.
Written June 14, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Most of us have heard the term core values even if that is not the term we use for the criteria which we say we want to use to form the foundation of our decision making model. Sadly, many of us work for a person or an organization using a different set of core values thereby resulting in a conflict between two or more of our core values. For example, a core value might be to “bring home my share of the. bacon” so that I and my family are housed, clothed and fed. Another of my core values might be to do my best to attempt to treat others with love and respect. If I determine that the person or organization for which I work is requiring me to sell a product to a customer which is not the best or right product for them there is a conflict between two of my core values. I might then decide to respectfully let my boss know I cannot do what is being asked of me, the result of which might be to be fired. Before I talk to my boss I could request a family meeting and decide to abide by the decision of the majority of the family. Making family decisions on all issues which affect the family might be another core value.
So far, I have mentioned three core values:
1. Do my share in bringing home the bacon.2. Treat all others with love and respect.3. Make decisions as a family.
Some of my other core values might be:
4. Take daily responsibility for my holistic health and support the health of my loved ones.5. Be a responsible, considerate steward of the community.6. Be a responsible, considerate steward of the environment.7. Accept that honesty with self is a process but commit to do my best to make this a priority8. Be humble and open to learning in all areas of life. 9. Do my best to be empathic and to not judge others.10. Avoid, whenever possible, labeling events or people - drop the dualities.11. Accept that, at times, I am going to be forced to choose between two core values.
If I am to attempt to use a decision-making model which includes these core values I am going to frequently be faced with 11. I am also going to have to respect that others are also faced with that issue. For example, my commitment to respecting the environment may conflict with being empathic and not judging others. Consider the coal miner who is asked to participate in mountain top strip mining. He or she may live with their family in a community which has no other decent paying jobs. Various other core commitments may prevent them from moving. They might have children who are doing well in a local school system or who have a coach who is preparing them for the Olympics or to get a sports or academic scholarship to college. What is the most moral or ethical decision?
Daily, thoughtful, good people are faced with such moral or ethical conflicts. If we view the results of their decisions from our safe distances, it may be easy to judge them. If we want the mountain top removal coal miner to make decisions based on core values with which we can live we need to do our part to create a community which has designed ways of taking care of ourselves, our family, the community and the environment. The coal miner has to have realistic, viable employment options. If we want the people to purchase only organic produce or meat from free-range animals it has to be affordable. It is easy to be judgmental and self-righteous when one has the privilege of real choices.
I am fascinated and sad about the fact that many individuals, regardless of college degrees and other education, cannot begin to articulate their core values and, thus, the source of their dis ease. This has to be the starting point. I think most of us know we are out of balance with each other and the earth, but many of us do not have a decision-making model which can clearly identify the issues. Teaching decision making models based on core values needs to be the first step in our educational systems. Learning skills which do not lead to being able to design a fulfilling life journey is not helpful or kind. Studies reveal a majority of college students say they are attending college to make money with no ability to identify or articulate the kind of world they want to build and in which they want to live. We have the power as the elders to help them envision and make manifest such a world.
Written June 14, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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