Move beyond basic pros and cons lists by creatively mapping possibilities for better decision-making.
Utilize narrative storytelling and scenario planning to challenge assumptions and anticipate consequences for strategic decision-making.
Deep dives
Decision Making Process in Personal and Professional Life
In the podcast, Stephen Johnson discusses the importance of decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. He emphasizes the significance of making informed choices that can have long-term consequences. Johnson highlights the need to move beyond traditional pros and cons lists and introduces a three-step decision-making process involving creative mapping of possibilities, predicting outcomes accurately, and challenging preconceived narratives about choices.
Learning from Historical and Personal Decision-Making Stories
Johnson draws inspiration from historical accounts, such as Darwin's pros and cons list for marriage, to explore decision-making methods. He shares a personal experience of contemplating a significant move to the West Coast, highlighting the complexity of decisions with far-reaching effects. By reflecting on past decisions, Johnson emphasizes the evolution of decision-making tools beyond simplistic pros and cons evaluations.
Utilizing Multidisciplinary Approaches in Decision-Making
The podcast delves into the multidisciplinary nature of decision-making, involving insights from behavioral science, economics, game theory, philosophy, and other fields. Johnson advocates for a comprehensive approach that incorporates diverse perspectives and methodologies to enhance decision-making processes. By embracing interdisciplinary strategies, individuals and organizations can navigate complex choices more effectively.
Enhancing Decision-Making through Narrative and Scenario Analysis
Johnson underscores the value of narrative storytelling, drawing parallels between decision-making in novels and real-life situations. He suggests that reading novels and analyzing complex narratives can sharpen cognitive abilities for decision-making. Additionally, Johnson discusses the importance of scenario planning, challenging assumptions, and anticipating potential consequences through creative storytelling to make more informed and strategic decisions.
How do you make the biggest decisions you face, the ones that have significant consequences and can change your life? Choices like whether to get married, move, attend a certain college, take a particular job, and so on? If you're like a lot of people, you just kind of wing it, and maybe draw up a basic pros and cons list.
My guest today has studied the latest research in decision making theory and formulated a better approach. His name is Steven Johnson, his latest book is Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most, and today he walks us through how to move beyond listing pros and cons to using a more effective 3-step decision making process. We begin our conversation discussing how most people make decisions and how it hasn’t changed much in hundreds of years. Steven then walks us through the phases of a better decision-making methodology, including developing a more creative map of the possibilities before you, accurately predicting the outcomes of those options, and questioning the narratives you have about your choices. Steven then makes the case that reading novels and watching quality television shows can be a great way to train our brains in the skill of decision making. We end our conversation discussing what the raid on Osama bin Laden can teach us about making good decisions.
