Subject for study: Decision Making. Working on the text.

Ex.1. Read and translate the text paying particular attention to the words in italics. Use a dictionary if necessary.

Mastering Decision Making. What Does It Take to Be a Good Decision Maker?

Systematic decision making can be hard work, particularly if you're dealing with complicated situations. It's often very tempting to take shortcuts and look for an easy way out. But in the long run, good decision-making tactics and habits will pay dividends in both your per­sonal and business life.

Decision-making demands naturally differ from company to company and individual to individual, but there are some personality factors that usually contribute to decision-making talent. These are not qualities you must possess from birth; they can be developed if you are willing to work at it:

Analytical ability. A good decision maker is able to separate a problem into parts, identify and integrate relevant facts, and envision the consequences of a decision.

Conceptual ability and logic. A decision maker must get meaning out of a large array of gathered facts. He or she must pull them to­gether into one concept and see through it all to get to the root of the situation.

Intuitive judgment. Up to a point, the decision maker looks at the situation analytically and logically, but intuition or "hunch" also comes into play. Intuitive judgment is especially important when an immedi­ate decision needs to be made or when all the facts cannot be gath­ered or are not very clear,

Creativity. A good decision maker encourages new ideas or a fresh approach, recognizing that new or additional material is often necessary for reaching the best decision. A good decision maker, even if he or she is not creative and able to generate original ideas, should recognize and encourage those of others.

Tolerance. A decision maker must be tolerant of ambiguity and frustration* and should be able to cope with uncertainties. He or she must also be able to deal continually with difficulties and frustrations without becoming discouraged.

Open-mindedness. A good decision maker makes the effort to listen to others and is also receptive to their comments and suggestions.

Positive self-image. Self-image influences effective decision making in two ways. First, people with a relatively poor self-image often have a greater concern about how they look in the eyes of others and may be unduly sensitive to social pressure. Instead of doing what they be­lieve is right, they may find themselves doing what they think others feel is right. Secondly, individuals with a poor self-image will experience greater anxiety than those with a good self-image. This anxiety may prevent a thorough search for an evaluation of alternatives. Individuals with a poor self-image are less likely to make as effective decisions as individuals with a more positive view of themselves.

Decision-making talent is difficult to pin down*, but the above ele­ments have been shown to be present in decision makers with good track records*.

* be tolerant of ambiguity and frustration - суметь вынести двусмысленность ситуации или

разочарование

* self-image - мнение о себе

* to pin down - определить

* with good track records - с хорошим послужным списком

Ex.2. Say what you have learned about:

1. about systematic decision making;

2. the personality factors that contribute to decision-making talent.

Ex.3. Think and answer.