Decisions and Freedom

Just today for relaxing, again I watched the movie “Promised Land” with Matt Damon.

It´s a story about a young consultant from “Global” who travels into certain small towns where they expect natural gas under their land and who has the goal to buy the land from them, paying them a million or even more.  He sells it to their owners as a great chance to get a better life than what they have “now”, living on a farm in the middle of nowhere.

That´s definitaly a topic and a movie about decision making or, about tough choices!  At the beginning in the sports hall one old and wise owner gets up, he´s an ex-teacher of science students, and tells the audience that “money doesn´t always lead to good decisions”.

Of course money doesn´t guarantee a good decision!  Money is a motivation factor.

What helps us most when we´re facing a decision dilemma?  I´d say, to stay with the script:  it´s the quality of information.  The ex teacher did his homework, he delivered some figures and additional info about “fracking” than the young consultant did, who was standing in front of the audience.  This old man suddenly managed to get a clear vote against the plan of “Global”.

Now what is the original decision problem here?  It´s not coming from the farmers or their city.  “Global” has the challenge or problem – they WANT something and need to offer value in return.  This movie and its decision making isn´t about other alternatives, it´s simply about “stay or leave”.  And to leave their homes is only possible if they get some extra bucks.

But then there is this twist in the script or screenplay:  the moment the company realizes that they have trouble now, after the clear vote against their plans, they came up with another person:  they sent a new character into the play, who would slowly lead them all to make the enticing sales-decision.  “Global” started a new game to get there!

The moment this counterpart or rival showed up, the game moved them all into the direction, with a mixed-up mood, to suddenly be against fracking and selling their land.  From then on, it was all hard work for the consultant….. until the rival got caught as a cheater! Drama –

Long story short – the moment the rival went off the stage (out of town) it looked like all farmers would sell their land now within a minute!  Absolutely convinced and ready for an easy decision!  An emotional decision.  Led by a trap, in the name of free will!

The question today for you is:
how much free will, or how much freedom do you have and use when you make a tough decision?  Does it feel best for you if you make the choice without any other opinion from others?  Sometimes we´re forced to make a decision when it comes to a cross-road.  What´s your experience?  Please tell us about it –

My take away for you is: 
if you´re confronted with a tough choice soon, step back and gather your own information.  Even if it takes a few days or weeks, take that time and at last try to make your own decision.  Give yourself some freedom for a good choice!  Be convinced and not manipulated.
Think of the quality of your choice!

 

BE A DECISION MAKER.  BECOME OUTSTANDING.

rita jaskolla – Leadership Architect –